What key is "Perfectly Good Guitar" in?

"Perfectly Good Guitar" by John Hiatt is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Perfectly Good Guitar" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Perfectly Good Guitar" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Perfectly Good Guitar"?

This arrangement of "Perfectly Good Guitar" uses 6 chords: Am, C, D, Dsus4, Em, G.

How long does it take to learn "Perfectly Good Guitar" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by John Hiatt can I play here?

Try "Have A Little Faith In Me". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

He (Em)threw one down from the (G)top of the stairs, his (Am)beau ti ful n’t wom en were (C)stand in’ ev ’ry (D)where, they (Em)all got wet when he (G)smashed burst that a thing, but (Am)off in the dark you could (D)hear some bod y (G)sing: Oh, it (Am)breaks my heart to (Em)see those stars (G)smash in’ a (C)per fect ly (D)good gui (Em)tar.

I (Am)don’t know who they (Em)think they (D)are (G)smash ing a (C)per fect ly (D)good

gui tar.

It (Em)start ed back from in (G)nine teen six ty his (Am)ma ma would gui buy him that (C)new red Har mo (D)ny.

He (Em)set tled for when a (G)sun ly with a crack, but (Am)he’s still the try in’ to (D)break his ma ma’s (G)back.

Oh, it (Am)breaks my heart to (Em)see those stars

(G)smash in’ a (C)per fect ly (D)good gui (Em)tar.

I (Am)don’t know who they (Em)think they (D)are

(G)smash ing a (C)per fect ly (D)good

gui tar.

While he loved that gui tar just (G)like a girl friend, but (Am)ev ’ry good thing (C)comes to an (D)end.

Now (Em)he just sits in his (G)room all day,

(Am)whis tl in’ ev ’ry note he ev er (G)played.

There

Late at night, the (G)end of the road, he (Am)wish es he still had that (C)old gui tar to (D)hold.

He’d (Em)rock it like a (G)ba by in his arms,

(Am)nev er let it come to an y (G)harm.

Oh, it (Am)breaks my heart to (Em)see those stars

(G)smash in’ a (C)per fect ly (D)good gui (Em)tar.

I (Am)don’t know who they (Em)think they (D)are

(G)smash ing a (C)per fect ly (D)good,

(Em)good

gui tar.

Perfectly Good Guitar by John Hiatt

9 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

Learn how to accompany it· the chords and what each hand plays, on Super Simple Chords ↗

About “Perfectly Good Guitar”

What key is "Perfectly Good Guitar" in?: "Perfectly Good Guitar" by John Hiatt is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Perfectly Good Guitar" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Perfectly Good Guitar" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Perfectly Good Guitar"?: This arrangement of "Perfectly Good Guitar" uses 6 chords: Am, C, D, Dsus4, Em, G.
How long does it take to learn "Perfectly Good Guitar" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by John Hiatt can I play here?: Try "Have A Little Faith In Me". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.