Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Make Me Smile on piano
Written by Steve Harley
- C major
- 4/4
- 140 BPM
- IV–I–V–IV loop
- 1975
- Easy
Play the full song with sheet music
Learn Make Me Smile in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – C – G – F
How it goes
Make Me Smile sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; C is C, E and G; G is G, B and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FIVCIGVFIV- FF · A · C
- CC · E · G
- GG · B · D
- 2
Left hand: Eager heartbeat
How it goes
Jumps in early on the “and” before beat 3, like it can’t wait. Musicians call it root bass · pop push 1 · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4 (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 403 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pop stabs
How it goes
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 140 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: F – G – C
How it goes
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC
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Questions about Make Me Smile
What chords are in Make Me Smile?
The loop is F – C – G – F (IV – I – V – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Make Me Smile in?
C major, at about 140 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Make Me Smile?
Eager heartbeat: root bass · pop push 1 · 2 · 2& · 3& · 4, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Make Me Smile easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.