How to Play "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed on Piano
“Perfect Day” is in Bb major, 12/8 time, at 46 BPM, counted in dotted quarters. This lesson teaches a simple version of the song: the melody in your right hand and easy chords in your left, one phrase at a time. The song has 9 phrases, and 3 of them repeat ones you will already know.
- Bb major
- 12/8
- 46 BPM
- Medium
- Melody + easy chords
Free to play. Unlock the song or go Premium to download the printable Practice Pack.
What you need to know
Read from the song's own melody and chords. The left hand is kept simple on purpose.
Time signature
12/8
4 big beats in every bar, at 46 BPM
The time signature changes during the song; this is the main one.
The chords you play
The song uses 10 chords. You learn them a phrase at a time: F, Bbm, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Ebm, Bb, Dm and Gm.
Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays Eb where the sheet music writes F.
Your left hand for this song
Arpeggio
We'll use this simple left-hand pattern to accompany the melody: low, middle, high on each beat. A song in 12/8 moves in groups of three.
Right hand
The melody
The tune the singer sings, one note at a time, with finger numbers.
The lesson, step by step
3 short steps for each phrase of the song. Each one opens in the lesson player, so you can listen and play along on your own piano.
- Start hereRight hand
Step 1: Melody
Listen, then play the tune with your right hand, with finger numbers.
Open this step - Left hand
Step 2: Chords
Your left hand learns this phrase's chords: a bass note, block chords, or a simple pattern.
Open this step - Both hands
Step 3: Hands together
The melody with your left hand's chords under it. When you can play this, you can play the phrase.
Open this step Then play the whole song
When you can play every phrase, play the full sheet music with its backing track in the player.
Play the full song
Frequently asked questions
What key is “Perfect Day” in?
“Perfect Day” is in Bb major, which has 2 flats: Bb and Eb. The Bb major scale is Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G and A.
What are the chords in “Perfect Day”?
The lesson plays 10 chords, one easy shape each: F, Bbm, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Ebm, Bb, Dm and Gm. As the sheet music writes them: F, Bbm, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Ebm, Bb, Dm, Dm7 and Gm. Some chords are simplified on purpose: the lesson plays Eb where the sheet music writes F.
What should my left hand play in “Perfect Day”?
First your left hand learns each phrase's chords on its own, then with the melody. It plays a bass note or a block chord when the chord changes, or a simple pattern: you choose, and the same choice stays on both steps.
What tempo is “Perfect Day”?
“Perfect Day” plays at 46 BPM in 12/8, counted in dotted quarters. Every step starts at the song's tempo, and you can slow it down as much as you need.
Is “Perfect Day” hard to play on piano?
It is rated Medium: a good next step once you can play a few easy songs. The melody goes from Ab4 up to C6. The lesson teaches a simple version: the melody and one easy chord shape at a time in the left hand.
Where can I get the sheet music for “Perfect Day”?
Play the full sheet music free in the interactive player, or download a printable PDF. Unlock the song or go Premium to download the printable Practice Pack. It is this lesson on paper, with fingering, one left-hand style per PDF.