How to Play “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran on Guitar
Playing Ed Sheeran’s hit song “Perfect” on the guitar is a dream for many aspiring musicians. With its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics, this song has captured the hearts of fans around the world. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate guitarist, learning how to play “Perfect” can be a rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the essential chords, strumming patterns, and tips to help you master this beautiful song.
Understanding the Chords
The first step in learning “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran on guitar is to familiarize yourself with the chords. The song is primarily played in the key of A minor, which means you’ll be using the following chords:
– A minor (Am)
– D major (D)
– E minor (Em)
– F major (F)
– G major (G)
Make sure you learn each chord thoroughly and practice them individually before attempting to play the song.
Strumming Patterns
The strumming pattern in “Perfect” is relatively simple, but it’s crucial to get it right to achieve the desired sound. Here’s a basic strumming pattern you can use:
– Am: Down, down, up, down, down, up
– D: Down, down, up, down, down, up
– Em: Down, down, up, down, down, up
– F: Down, down, up, down, down, up
– G: Down, down, up, down, down, up
This pattern consists of a downstroke followed by an upstroke, with a slight pause between each downstroke. It’s important to maintain a consistent rhythm and timing while strumming.
Practice the Chords and Strumming Together
Once you’re comfortable with the chords and strumming pattern, it’s time to practice playing them together. Start by playing each chord for a few beats, then switch to the next chord while maintaining the strumming pattern. Gradually increase the speed and accuracy of your playing until you can seamlessly transition between chords.
Adding the Riff
One of the distinctive features of “Perfect” is the guitar riff that plays during the chorus. To incorporate this into your playing, you’ll need to learn the following notes:
– G major (G)
– D major (D)
– E minor (Em)
– A minor (Am)
Practice playing these notes while strumming the G major chord, and you’ll be able to add the iconic riff to your rendition of the song.
Final Tips
– Listen to the original song to get a sense of the tempo and dynamics.
– Use a metronome to keep a steady rhythm while practicing.
– Record yourself playing the song to identify areas for improvement.
– Keep practicing and don’t get discouraged if you don’t master it immediately.
By following these steps and dedicating yourself to practice, you’ll be well on your way to playing “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran on guitar like a pro. Happy strumming!
