Perfect - Ed Sheeran Guitar Chords
by Ed Sheeran
Original CapoCapo 1
Base ChordsG A Em A C A D
TuningStandard
DifficultyBeginner
Chord Shapes to Play
How capo works here: The chord names shown are what you play with the capo on the selected fret. Moving the capo changes both the chord names and the diagrams.
Tips for Playing This Song
### Essential Acoustic Guitar Advice
If you are a beginner approaching this song, it is crucial to remember that perfect technique comes from slow, deliberate practice. Many new guitarists make the mistake of trying to play the song at its original tempo immediately. This leads to sloppy chord transitions and rhythmic inconsistencies. Instead, start by practicing the chord changes without strumming at all. Simply form the first chord, lift your hand slightly, and form the next chord. Do this repeatedly until your muscle memory begins to lock in the shapes.
Once your left hand is comfortable with the progression, you can introduce your right hand. Strumming is all about wrist flexibility. Your wrist should be loose and relaxed, almost like you are shaking water off your hand. Avoid strumming entirely from your elbow, as this creates a rigid, robotic sound. When the tutorial suggests a pattern like "Down, Down, Up, Up, Down, Up," treat it as a framework rather than a strict rule. The most important thing is that your hand continuously moves up and down to the beat of the song, even if you occasionally miss the strings. This continuous motion is what creates a natural, flowing rhythm.
Finally, pay attention to the dynamics of the song. A common beginner trap is to strum every single chord with maximum intensity. In reality, songs have peaks and valleys. The verses are usually quieter, allowing the vocals to take center stage, while the choruses are louder and more energetic. Try brushing the strings gently during the verse, and then digging in with your pick during the chorus. Mastering dynamics will instantly make you sound like a more advanced, expressive guitar player. Keep practicing, and don't forget to have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the guitar chords for Perfect by Ed Sheeran?
The song is extremely beginner-friendly and uses only four basic chords throughout the entire track: G, Em, C, and D.
Do I need a capo to play Perfect by Ed Sheeran?
To play along with the original studio recording, place a capo on the 1st fret and play the G, Em, C, D chord shapes. This puts the song in the key of Ab Major.
What is the strumming pattern for Perfect?
Perfect is in 6/8 time signature. You can strum a steady Down, Down, Down, Down, Down, Down (6 strums per bar) with accents on the 1st and 4th strums. For a more dynamic feel, try Down, Down-Up, Down, Down-Up (D DU D DU).
Is Perfect suitable for beginners?
Yes! Perfect is widely considered one of the best songs for beginners to learn because it uses the most common open chords and has a very slow, predictable rhythm.
Are there any barre chords in Perfect?
No, if you play it with a capo on the 1st fret using the G, Em, C, and D shapes, there are absolutely no barre chords required.
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About the Instructor
This chord chart and tutorial was meticulously transcribed and arranged by the Open Fretboard Instruction Team. With decades of combined experience playing, performing, and teaching acoustic guitar, our goal is to provide the most accurate, beginner-friendly chords on the internet. We manually verify every single chord change against the original studio recordings so you can learn with absolute confidence.