Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren) Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren) in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: Gmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Em – Em – Em7
How it goes
Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren) sits in G major: G is home, where the song ends. It goes round 5 chords: Gmaj7 is G, B, D and F#; Em is E, G and B; Em7 is E, G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
Gmaj7Imaj7Gmaj7Imaj7EmviEmviEm7vi7
- Gmaj7G · B · D · F#
- EmE · G · B
- Em7E · G · B · D
12 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Yo-yo bounce
How it goes
A long high root, a dip down, and back up like a yo-yo. Musicians call it broken chord 8-5-8 (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 629 songs of the library.
Yo-yo bounceBroken chord · BalladLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Steady chords
How it goes
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Steady chordsBlock chords · PopRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 100 BPM
How it goes
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: C – D7 – G
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
CD7G
- CC · E · G
- D7D · F# · A · C
- GG · B · D

What chords are in Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren)?

The loop is Gmaj7 – Gmaj7 – Em – Em – Em7 (Imaj7 – vi – vi7 – Imaj7 – vi) in G major, and the song ends on C – D7 – G.

What key is Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren) in?

G major, at about 100 beats a minute in 4/4.

What does the left hand play in Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren)?

Yo-yo bounce: broken chord 8-5-8, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren) easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 5 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Can I hear the real melody of Can't Smile Without You (arr. Phillip Keveren)?

Yes: "The part you know" plays the catchy part of the song from a score, with both hands.