How to Play Perfect on Piano
Ed Sheeran
About this piece
Perfect is a beginner piano piece by Ed Sheeran that most students can learn in 2-3 weeks.
A modern wedding staple in a lilting 6/8 time signature. The four-flat key signature sounds intimidating but the black-key hand positions are actually very comfortable and ergonomic.
Practice tips
- The 6/8 time signature creates a gentle rocking feel — count '1-2-3-4-5-6' and accent beats 1 and 4 in the left-hand pattern to establish the waltz-like groove.
- The chord progression (Ab-Fm-Db-Eb) uses smooth voice leading in the right hand — find inversions where you only move one or two fingers between each chord change.
- In the final chorus, thicken the texture by adding octaves in the melody hand to create the soaring, climactic feel of the orchestral original.
Common mistake
Playing in 4/4 feel instead of 6/8 — the compound time signature is what gives this song its romantic, swaying character.
How long to learn
Not sure Perfect matches your level? Take the free 2-minute piano level quiz to find pieces that fit where you are.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Perfect to play on piano?
Perfect is rated Beginner. A modern wedding staple in a lilting 6/8 time signature.
How long does it take to learn Perfect?
For a beginner, expect 2-3 weeks. An intermediate player can learn it in 3-5 days.
What is the BPM of Perfect?
Perfect is typically played at 63 BPM, in A-flat major.
What key is Perfect in?
Perfect is in A-flat major, typically performed at around 63 BPM.
What's the most common mistake when learning Perfect?
Playing in 4/4 feel instead of 6/8 — the compound time signature is what gives this song its romantic, swaying character.
Where to find the sheet music
- Free scores on IMSLP (Petrucci Music Library)
- Community sheet music on MuseScore
- Wikipedia: Ed Sheeran
Free public-domain editions of works like Beethoven, Chopin, and Debussy are on IMSLP. For contemporary works, MuseScore has community arrangements.
Ready to practice Perfect?
Upload your sheet music and start learning — at your tempo, hands separately, looping the hard parts.
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