ACT NATURALLY – Guitar Lesson

Based on a joking remark he made to his girlfriend, song writer Johnny Russell couldn't get anyone interested enough to record this eventual #1 Billboard Hit! That is until it was presented to Buck Owens & the Buckaroos. Later covered by Ringo Starr of The Beatles, here's your Act Naturally guitar lesson!

D                                            G
     They're gonna put me in the movies
     D                                                         A7
     They're gonna make a big star out of me
     D                                                              G
We'll make a film about a man that's sad and lonely

A7                          stop             D
And all I have to do is act naturally

CHORUS
    A7                                       D

Well, I bet you I'm gonna be a big star
     A7                                                 D
Might win an Oscar you can never tell
     A7                                            D
The movie's gonna make me a big star,
     E7                                    A7
'Cause I can play the part so well

Well, I hope you come and see me in the movie
Then I'll know that you will plainly see
The biggest fool that ever hit the big time
And all I have to do is act naturally
We'll make a film about a man that's sad and lonely
Begging down upon his bended knee
I'll play the part but I won't need rehearsing
All I have to do is act naturally
CHORUS
 

{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

overmatik August 14, 2011 at 4:20 PM

Thanks for these easy chords. A B D E G are just about the only chords I know yet. The F and B are too hard!

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admin September 2, 2011 at 8:55 AM

Keep working at them …. they are the hardest for everyone … self included!

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Sam Vasser February 5, 2012 at 10:02 AM

hey jackson, thanks so much for the 3…. well a 4 chord song act naturally. I am 50 and grew up as a kid watching hee haw with my dad, he likes johnny cash george jones meryl haggard and so on, i grew up listening to classic rock and blues, however I have come to like country equally as well. Ive only been playing guitar for about 2 or 3 years and finally got me a martin DC160 OGTE with Roland pick-ups and a Roland acoustic Amp I have an electric and crate amp also and hope to get a nice Tele later and better suited amp for the time being I am disiplining myself on acoustic in hopes I will be a better player on the electric. but the real reason i am writing is to say thank you so much. I am really wanting to learn some of the old country classics to play for my Dad as he is not going to be around forever. thanks again, and the best of sucess to you aqnd your family.

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admin February 5, 2012 at 10:11 AM

Thanks Sam …. sounds like you have acquired some great gear! There will be a few more of those country classics on the horizon so hang in there … cheers … Jackson

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Jim June 10, 2013 at 6:20 PM

I do believe this is what I've been looking for. It appears to me Jackson your teaching methods are right on. Thanks for offering such a comprehensible site. Truly I believe offering people the opportunity to learn songs they like with ease. If I knew it was this easy I would have started playing years ago. I truly feel fortunate to have come across your web site. It's never too late they say…and with your system of teaching I can make up for lost time. Job well done. 

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admin June 10, 2013 at 7:05 PM

Thanks so much Jim. I truly appreciate your sincere comments!

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Anthony June 23, 2014 at 10:40 PM

Can you please explain the strum pattern you are using for this I know its simple its just hard for me to catch on, thank you 

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admin June 24, 2014 at 9:54 AM

Hi Anthony! For Act Naturally … use:

1. pick down on lead note
2. down strum
3. rest
4. up/down strum

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