TIPS FOR TODAY
Progress comes from momentum, not mastery.
If today’s challenge feels awkward or slow, that’s exactly how it’s supposed to feel. This isn’t a “nail it in one day” test — it’s your first pass at a new motion. Your hands will keep improving every time you come across a similar skill.
Even 10 focused minutes is enough to count today as a win. Our goal is NOT to perfect it. It’s to get exposure to a new skill.
Just get the motion under your fingers a few times at your own pace, and trust that next time you try a skill like this, it will feel a little smoother.
YOUR SAMPLE WEEK OF TONY'S ACOUSTIC CHALLENGE
5-Day "Stop Dabbling, Start Playing Guitar" Challenge
- MON: Technique
- TUE: Lick
- WED: Improv
- THU: Rhythm
- FRI: Transitions
FREE WHEN YOU JOIN TODAY
30 DAY JUMPSTART
All new members start with our 30-day jumpstart to learn the basics. It comes free with your membership when you join today.
3-Steps to Stop Dabbling and Start Playing
Try the Free 5-Day Challenge
Get a feel for the TAC method and see what 10 minutes a day can do.
Join TAC and Build Your Foundation
Start the 30-Day Jumpstart Challenge (included when you join) to lock in the basics and build a daily habit.
Keep Going with Daily Challenges
After the 30-Day Jumpstart, keep improving—one fun, daily guitar session at a time.
Thanks you, Tony. My challenge is to regain the consistency in practice I once had (between 1972 and 1980). Your style of teaching is very helpful in taking things at a pace and in a way that doesn’t stress my finger tips. ;). I will keep at it and regain and exceed the abilities that I had worked on through my high school and college years, but lost when my work life was prioritized. I am now retired at 69. Glad I kept my guitars. It is nice to relearn with a system that I trust.
Stuck after three years of dabbling.
I’m 59. I started playing about three years ago. I watched a series of fingerpicking for beginners and had lot of fun with that. I’m several chapters in on Guitar All In One For Dummies and that has given me a good handle on most of the basic chords I see used on most of the music I enjoy listening to and playing. I’m really shy about playing in front of anyone and I need to tamp down my obsession with perfection. As noted I was confused and clumsy with the playing tonight, after I looked at the tabs, I was able to “get it” and follow along, a little. That was my little win; I see the pattern and I could do it. Note even close to perfect. I wish I had more time because it was fun and I was starting to make it work. Yay! Tomorrow, I plan on starting in the morning and I hope to come back for another round or two with the next lesson. It’s still intimidating, and I feel like I’m not as advanced as I should be. However, like I said, I’m encouraged because I’m learning the language so to speak. I’m craving more.
Day 1 and my win was that I showed up. I used to have an electric guitar for my power chords. I was going to be the next great rocker 20 years ago. You probably have never heard of me.
Dabbled badly as a kid, came back 40 years later during covid. Guitar kept me going, but aside from learning a few chords, and strumming to tutorials, I didn’t get far. I could mostly play through a few 3 or 4 chord songs, but poorly, and never all the way through.
This is the first time I’ve seen alternate picking in a way that made sense, and after 3 or 4 runs through, I was able to pick down on the beats, even after the hammer where my natural inclination is to come up on the next string, rather than down on the first. 🙂
Hey. I’ve been practicing for over a year and I was taking lessons until three months ago. My practice is mostly C major and B major scales with some chord work. I wanted to try your Five Day to boost my practice. Already so helpful. Thank you.
I’m 65 I tried learning guitar a few years ago by watching lessons on YT, 6 months in I got fed up with trying to find things to practise so I gave up. I come across the Acoustic Challenge on FB so I’m giving it another shot.
Hi Tony, I studied guitar at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music for about 8 years, where I learned a variety of styles from pop to blues to celtic to jazz to Brazilian jazz. I stopped playing about fifteen years ago, with a few failed attempts over the last five years to regain what I learned. My hands have forgotten! Much of what I was playing was fingerstyle. I never really got a good feel for playing with a pick, had trouble picking the right string without missing or doubling. Today’s small win in this first lesson was holding my guitar vertically and playing the exercise without looking. Still missing but getting more comfortable. Enjoying the challenge again!
This is super awesome! I’ve been playing guitar since I was 8 (25 now), but no formal technical training and have only ever played basic chords. Excited to start building my skills!
I know how play my cords some bar cords the picking i can get. Just have to do it 3 or4 times trying to picking and do riffs I’m senior so not to
Fast Roy
played as a teen , picked it up a bit again early In pandemic- recommitting to relearning
61 years old and recently retired. I’m determined. Have ‘dabbled’ for 10 years or so but never had real time to devote until now. So far I like your approach.
I’m 73 and decided I want to learn to play. My problem is, I leveled off my left middle finger on a jointer in high school ( a looong time ago). Being flat, it has a tendency to deaden the neighboring string – especially on the lower E/A. Trying to bend my wrist more to compensate. But it only goes so far. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I’m self taught and played in the worship band at church but mostly chords and rhthym. Haven’t played since July 21 after breaking my arm! I have always wanted to get into picking and playing licks to develop my playing.
Really enjoyed session 1!
Started playing at 16 – have played off and on for 50+ years – mostly folky campfire songs. Ready to learn new things
I started guitar in high school, I should say I struggled guitar in high school. I’m left hand the majority of the time due to a childhood injury. I have trouble keeping my head and fingers on the same page most of the time! I will probably re-watch the videos a lot before moving on. I’ll keep you posted, and I’m glad to be here!
i am brand new to guitar & this a way too confusing as a starting point
Hi Tony, I’ve watched you quite a bit on youtube and am excited for the challenge! I’m approaching 60 and never played instruments growing up but always enjoyed music. A couple years ago I started noodling with a ukulele cause it was easy to play anywhere. The whole time learning it I felt like I was learning half a guitar so I decided to try the other half…ha Anyway, I don’t plan on playing anywhere but home but I’m looking forward to being able to learn how to make music anyway.
I’m 78. Got a guitar around age 61 and messed around with various lessons for about 9 years. Life interrupted and now I’m trying one last time.
im coming back from a long time, but even back then i couldnt play a song
Like you, I started playing in my late teens. But I have never learned licks or scales, never tried soloing, as I was satisfied, early on, with chords and a few strumming/picking patterns … to accompany singing. I’ve gotten a bit better at what I do, but it’s so limited, so “beginner.” For what I do, I’m OK, but lesson one is new territory for me. I’m looking forward to it!
I’m an advanced self taught player who’s been playing on and off for 40 years. Being more of a strummer and a singer, I haven’t always focussed on the fundamentals. Just last week I learned Friend of the Devil again, and I was surprised to see it show up as the song we are exercising! It’s never to late to get back to the fundamentals and I look forward to working through the exercises.
HI Tony, Several years ago I did the TAC program and I enjoyed it. But I never wrote the song we were supposed to at the end and you kind of lost me there. And from there I didn’t really know where to go. Then my life faced many challenges and changes, the last, facing down cancer and finding out last week I’m now cancer free.
This seems to be perhaps what was missing back then. I like the way you break this into small bites. I think it could work for me. I’m anxious to get a new start..So I’m doing this week long challenge as a first step towards that start.
Have learned enough to play first position while I sing. Can play along with a group if not to advanced. Want to leave first position and learn some new things. Start some new habits.
Lifetime beginner has to sum me up totally. I always loved trying to play music, my mother played piano and I had ago at that, must’ve been around 8, just not for me. Teens years, girls and football (played with the feet) and stuff stopped all the music ideas. Got my first own home and decided I loved the guitar and wanted to start so headed home to mother to beg endlessly for a guitar, not a lot of bargain brands around then so it wasn’t cheap, I’ve still got that 1993 Strat. So got some learning, got some skills and bits of songs but then moved me around the country and that dried up. Sometime after that I got more settled, another 10 years passed and I got going again. Got a teacher and making some good progress, another job move and repeat. I’m now more settled than ever and playing more and more and ready to stop dabbling.
Total newbie (after maybe playing a little 50+years ago!) Trying not to get discouraged with my short fat fingers!
I’ve been playing for about a year and a half. I’ve always been drawn to guitar ever since I was a kid, but since my parents weren’t wealthy, I never felt like a guitar was something I could ask for. Years later, in my 40’s, we inherited my father in law’s guitar after he passed away. I started learning on it and have really been enjoying it.
I got a guitar as Christmas gift 20 years ago
(I was 50) I took lessons and after awhile was playing covers and originals at local open mics. A dream come true I lived it. A lot of life happened. Was so happy to get divorced. Got sick, got better, closed my buisness sold my house moved. Started over at 67. Had to give up alcohol cause of meds. Started playing again did some open mics. Was tough starting new not knowing anyone. Have to own I missed the wine to calm the stage nerves. Stopped. It’s been at least 2 years. I want music back. That’s why Im here.
Started in grade 4/5 learning to play the cello – bonus because I got to skip a class just to play music. Changed schools and different music program so nothing until High School…Buddy of mine (will come back to him later) said lets get a band together, we need a bass player…so yea there I was learning songs – but not music. This was good for about a 1 1/2 years then joined another band then went to university and that ended that. Took up guitar in the 90’s and mostly learned more songs..got my younger son interested (but that is a story for another day). Was in the military so postings took me here and there and brought along a cheap acoustic guitar and again – played songs without the background of why a song works…By 2014 I had a bunch of guitars including my original bass but again – trying to learn music not just songs. Decided to learn how to play jazz bass and took lessons from 2015 to 2021 and here I learned music, how the bass fit into the mix and how songs worked and why. Remember my buddy from high school – we got back together and he had a band with his brothers and needed a bass player…So I joined that band and had a lot of fun as the bass player. Life got in the way for one of the brothers so we stopped playing. Joined a few other bands, but the small group dynamics and the bs drove be away from music completely- sold everything except one bass but have not played for a year not even interested – in fact resented it. Until now…I will always be a bass player but I want to play guitar on—comfortably to play around the “camp fire” without any drama. I have rented a nice cheap guitar (I know way more about guitars than I should – insert younger son story one day) I also always wanted to compose/create music, so that is also a motivator…
Really enjoyed the first day. Love being able to print the tab.
Another lifelong beginner here. I bought a guitar when I was 14 so I could play Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles etc. with my friends. I played till the end of high school and stopped… for 50 years 😀 Well, I did pick up a guitar here and there, and I can still play songs like Time in a Bottle type songs, but I’ve been very inconsistent. Finally, I’m old enough (retired), and I like to get back into playing more regularly.
I’ve been messing around with the guitar since I was 15. I’m now 58. I lost interest for a while when I got to working age. I found music again by learning the bagpipes. I got back into playing after getting divorced. This lesson was great, I was never great with the up and down picking. Looking forward to tomorrows lessons. Thank you very much
Played as a teenager never great mainly cords. Stopped around 20 and now at 71 my wife and I decided to try to learn to play together.
Hi Tony,
Life long beginner. For yrs just play the same ol riffs consisting of half a dozen or so rythem parts to various songs. However about 9 mos ago I started watching youtube guitar teachers. I did learn the rythem parts to Blackfoots “Highway Song” which I love! Can play the rythem parts to Stairway to Heaven as well. From there just basic boogie woogie, some Lynyrd Skynrd SImple Man, and others….
I’ve been playing off and on since hight school. Life would get busy and I would put it down. I can play basic cords and so some stumming paters. At 62 I picked it back up again. I would like to be a real guitarest. I would like to use the guitar in my minstry as a chaplain. My insperation was a chaplain who was sitting with a hospice patiant just playing a buitful melody up and down the fret board.
Hey Tony,
I have to call myself a lifelong strummer! I’m 68 now. Started learning some chords when in my 20s. Over the years life would get in the way so I mostly played when I had opportunities here and there. I now do pretty well as a rhythm player. My desire has always been to solo songs start to finish. Since I retired 2 years ago I’ve dedicated to really learning how to play. I have bits and pieces but am struggling to put it all together. Bits and pieces from videos has not been very fruitful.
Day 1 is the start of learning and practicing with purpose. Today has been great! Anxious about tomorrow!
I tried when I was younger when I was given a guitar but did not stick with it or get past the basic stage. Stored the guitar for well over 10 years and decided now is the time. A complete newbie right now. I’m 53. I’d like to be able to play some tunes with my 88 year old father.
Total beginner, started 30 October 2025, I am 53 years old
Hey Tony,
Life long beginner here. I have been a basic chord strummer forever, never moved on from basic rhythm. I don’t grasp the music theory stuff. I do play at church and with a group of guys on occasion.
Hi Tony. I’m in the lifelong beginner category. I go hot and cold. I always got frustrated because it seemed like everyone else was getting better faster so I’d quit then pick it up again only to repeat the same cycle. Looking forward to a new journey. Thanks.
I’m so new that I don’t even know the string notes (B?, A?). So I am a bit lost already.
Thanks. I’m another life long beginner. Started at school 45 years ago. Still playing same guitar my Mum and Dad got me for Christmas at 15. Had a big break and restarted a couple of years ago.
I have actually tried to play for 25 years. I bought a guitar around 30 years old, had a friend who played show me a few things. Floundered on my own and took a 6 week course once, bought the book he sold and had to start over after the course slowly and a few things clicked. Years later not advancing much met up with some very accomplished bluegrass musicians who really helped me and I actually wanted to play. I might be toe dipping into intermediate, but still feel stuck and lack understanding especially with licks which I can play by mimicking. But I am awaiting this great understanding that is just beyond my reach. I am 55 now, I play music in Church singing with my kids and others sometimes but I want to feel like I know what I am doing and feel comfortable with it, like a mechanic working on a car he might not know the problem right away, but the knowledge he has with his craft allows him to get there.
Hi Tony I’m Erik from Spain. 25+ years ago I got myself an acoustic guitar but learning back then was not as easy as it is today and music schools around me were old style. Not my style. Last year I gave my old acoustic guitar to my daughter, she’s now 15 and as she progressed we thought on getting an electric guitar. Way more cooler for her. After I did my research for the best one for the buck and I heard the sound of it I was amazed. That was the sound I was looking for! And since they are not so expansive now and I can find resources on the internet to start… well I gave myself the gift! So now both, my daughter and I have a lovely Squire Stratocaster. For the moment taking it slowly, one step at the time and following your advice. At least 10 minutes every day and I have the rest of my life (I’m now 53) so no hurry. Thanks for this 5 day challenge!
Hopefully when I get better and I can afford it I would very much like to join.
I am kind of getting back into guitar after some shoulder injuries had me set it aside for a umber of years.Enjoyed todays challenge!
I am a 6-year beginner. I got a few of my dad’s guitars when he died in 2019 and thought I just hold onto them and sit them in the corner and when someone came over that knew how to play, I would let them play. After a few months I decided to take some lessons. Well, due to 2 deaths of 2 different teachers I am on my 3rd teacher and kind of know a few songs but really think everything I play sounds horrible. My current teacher also has another business where he does light and sounds for events in the area so I must miss a few lessons here and there due to events. I think my biggest obstacle is time, my low self-esteem, and me wanting to make everything sound perfect.
Im a lifelong beginner. I bought a guitar when in high school with my babysitting money, learned about 5 chords, and then the guitar sat in my closet until my youngest son was in middle school. He took a summer guitar class and was hooked. He has played in bands, has an MFA in sound technology, and now has a start up company designing guitar pedals and other equipment. (TipTone Audio Devices, if anyone is interested). Now it’s my turn to learn how to play!
Today’s the first day of many! I’ve been “trying” for years and love to see the positive feedback back from all the other “been trying” forever folks. Fingers crossed! Cheers
Great lesson. I’m definitely a life long beginner guitar player!!!! I’m a retired principal who once upon a time taught high school instrumental music. I can pick up any brass or woodwind instrument and play the basics. Guitar was never in my wheelhouse though. Time to change that!!
My mom passed away with dementia. I asked my doctor what I could do to NOT get it. She suggested learning a musical instrument! I am enjoying the guitar very much!!! I play rhythm in a bluegrass band group that plays for nursing home residents. It’s so rewarding!
Thanks for introducing me to a higher level!