Piano chords · Bossa beach
How to play Smooth Operator on piano
By Sade
- C major
- 4/4
- 110 BPM
- 1984
- Easy
Learn Smooth Operator in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Dm – Am – Gm – Am
Smooth Operator sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Dm is D, F and A; Am is A, C and E; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DmiiAmviGmvAmvi- DmD · F · A
- AmA · C · E
- GmG · Bb · D
- 2
Left hand: Bossa sway
Long-short, long-short, leaning ahead: a gentle Brazilian sway. Musicians call it root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&) (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Soft chords
Soft chords on beats 1, 3 and 4. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 110 BPM
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
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Smooth Operator
What chords are in Smooth Operator?
The loop is Dm – Am – Gm – Am (ii – vi – v – vi) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Smooth Operator in?
C major, at about 110 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Smooth Operator?
Bossa sway: root bass · bossa (1 · 2& · 3 · 4&), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Smooth Operator 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 4 arrangements of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.