What key is "A Certain Smile" in?

"A Certain Smile" by Johnny Mathis is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "A Certain Smile" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "A Certain Smile" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "A Certain Smile"?

This arrangement of "A Certain Smile" uses 29 chords: A, A7, Aaug, Ab7, Am7, Bb, Bb7, Bbm6, +21 more.

How long does it take to learn "A Certain Smile" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Johnny Mathis can I play here?

Try "THE LAST TIME I FELT LIKE THIS", "CHANCES ARE", "IT'S NOT FOR ME TO SAY". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Cm)What do you meet

down a (Bb7)crook ed lit tle (Eb)street in (Fm6)Par is?

(G7)Ven dors who sell pret ty flow ers that tell (G)of (Cm)spring.

Once in a while

you may (Bb7)meet a cer tain (Eb)smile in (Gm)Par is,

so ex (A)cit ing ly (D)gay, that it (Fm6)seems (G7)to say, (G)“Che (Cm)rie, fall in (Fdim7)love with (C7)me.” A cer tain (Gm7)smile,

a (C9)cer tain (F)face,

can lead an (Gm)un sus pect ing (C9)heart on a (C7)mer ry (F)chase.

A fleet ing (Em7)glance

can (G)say (A7)so (Dm)man y love ly (G9)things.

(C)Sud den (C)ly you (Dm7)know why (G7)Par is (Gm7)sings.

You love a (Gm7)while,

and (C9)when love (F)goes,

you try to (Gm)hide the tears in (C9)side with a (C7)cheer ful (F)pose.

But (Eb)in (F7)the (A)hush (Bb)of night ex (D7)act ly like a (Gm7)bit ter sweet re (Bbm6)frain, (A)comes (Bbm6)that (F)cer tain (Dm)smile to (Gm7)haunt your (C9)heart a (F)gain.

A cer tain (Gm7)smile,

a (C9)cer tain (F)face,

can lead an (Gm)un sus pect ing (C9)heart on a (C7)mer ry (F)chase.

A fleet ing (Em7)glance

can (G)say (A7)so (Dm)man y love ly (G9)things.

(C)Sud den (C)ly you (Dm7)know why (G7)my heart (Gm7)sings.

You love a (Gm7)while,

and (C9)when love (F)goes,

you try to (Gm)hide the tears in (C9)side with a (C7)cheer ful (F)pose.

A cer tain (F)gain.

A Certain Smile by Johnny Mathis

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “A Certain Smile”

What key is "A Certain Smile" in?: "A Certain Smile" by Johnny Mathis is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "A Certain Smile" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "A Certain Smile" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "A Certain Smile"?: This arrangement of "A Certain Smile" uses 29 chords: A, A7, Aaug, Ab7, Am7, Bb, Bb7, Bbm6, +21 more.
How long does it take to learn "A Certain Smile" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Johnny Mathis can I play here?: Try "THE LAST TIME I FELT LIKE THIS", "CHANCES ARE", "IT'S NOT FOR ME TO SAY". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.