Perfect is the wedding-first-dance song everyone wants to play, and it’s very beginner-friendly. It’s built on four simple chords repeating throughout, and while Ed Sheeran recorded it in a black-key-heavy key, you can play a faithful version in easy G major. The one thing to get right is its gentle waltz-like swing.
The four chords
The original sits in G-flat major (lots of flats). In the easier key of G major, the whole song uses:
- G major (G – B – D)
- E minor (E – G – B)
- C major (C – E – G)
- D major (D – F# – A)
That’s the entire song. If any shape is unfamiliar, grab it from the essential chords for beginners first. These four are a workhorse set — learn them here and you can play a huge number of other songs.
The progression
- Verse and chorus: G – Em – C – D, repeating
That’s it — the same loop the whole way through. It’s the classic I–vi–IV–V “doo-wop” progression that’s powered ballads for seventy years. Recognizing it means you’ve learned a pattern you’ll meet again and again; see the four progressions every beginner should know for how far it stretches.
The rhythm: it’s a waltz
Here’s the part most tutorials skip. Perfect is in 6/8 time, which gives it that gentle rocking, one-two-three sway — like a slow waltz. If you play the chords in a flat, straight rhythm, it loses the whole feel. Count it in two big beats, each split into three: ONE-two-three, TWO-two-three.
A simple pattern that captures it: left hand plays the bass note on beat one, right hand plays the chord on the “two-three” of each group, giving a soft bass-then-chord lilt. If 6/8 is new, piano time signatures explained makes the counting click, and rhythm and timing for beginners helps you keep it steady without rushing.
Putting it together
- Play the four chords as blocks first, in a slow 1-2-3 sway, until the changes are automatic.
- Add the bass-note-then-chord pattern for the waltz lilt.
- Keep it soft and unhurried — this is a tender song, and space is part of the sound.
Once your hands run on autopilot, sing over the top — it’s a song written to be sung, and the patterns in how to accompany a singer fit it perfectly. It sits happily alongside other easy pop songs beginners play with chords.
Four chords and one rhythm give you a wedding-worthy performance — that’s the whole case for learning piano through chords instead of note-by-note. If you want that to be your default approach, a course like Pianoforall teaches songs this way from the very first lessons.
FAQ
What are the chords to Perfect by Ed Sheeran?
In the easy key of G major they’re G, E minor, C, and D, looping G–Em–C–D throughout. The original is in G-flat major, but G major sounds the same and is far easier for beginners.
Is Perfect easy to play on piano?
The chords are simple and repeat all the way through, so yes. The one thing to nail is the 6/8 waltz feel — play it in that gentle one-two-three sway and it instantly sounds right.
Why does my version sound flat?
Almost always the rhythm. Perfect is a waltz in 6/8; if you play the chords in a stiff, straight beat it loses its lilt. Count in a rocking one-two-three and let the bass note lead each group.
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