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.
Hi Tony, my name is Brian. I am a life long beginner, looking for something or someone’s guidance to get me further in my guitar playing. I signed up for the free 5-day challenge, and the truth is that I’m still on day one after three days. I think the 5-day will be more like 5 weeks. My fingers are not used to the fret positions down further on the neck, and to perform the hammer on isn’t the easiest with smaller fingers…I know it’s muscle memory really. Thank you for breaking out small parts of the exercise, very helpful. I’m planning to sign up for your monthly plan…just need to put my busy schedule aside and make time…time to be serious. My last three days have been more like 1/2 hour practice not like 10 minutes…it takes that long for my brain to tell my fingers what to do. LOL. On another note (pun intended)…thank you for the music tabs too, it’s been a while since I’ve tried to read music and shake those cobwebs out of my brain too. I’m sure for me it will be, and it has been a long journey. Maybe… 😉
Life long beginner. I’ve always loved the sound of the guitar. My mom played. But then I heard and saw Eddie Van Halen! That put me over the top. I took lessons learned a few things here and there but it did not stick. I college I took a classical guitar class and enjoyed it… but again it didn’t stick. So here I am, age 55, picking up the guitar, again.
Lifelong beginner with too many starts and stops. Seeing/hearing Charlie Parr play motivated me to pick up my quitar again. Seeing your interview with him introduced me to you and your videos. While I feel a bit clumsy with this first challenge, I’m sticking with it. Thank you!
HI Tony,
My name I’m recently retired and tried to teach myself the guitar 30 years ago. Didn’t have the time or knowledge. I thought this would be a fun way to try and learn the guitar since I have so much free time. Just want to have some fun and be able to strum and play some songs. I thought his was for beginners. I feel lost! I don’t even know the names of the strings. I’m having trouble following along seeing which fingers are on which strings. Is it possible to have a diagram with circles on to show which strings you are on. Just really frustrated and feeling discouraged. Thanks for any insight.
Hi Jen, Please reach out to TAC Support. We will be happy to tell you more about the TAC program, which does include a course for complete beginners! support@tonypolecastro.com
They will be happy to assist!
I came of age in the late sixties and early seventies when playing guitar was all the rage. I will also say that the music on the radio, albums and concerts at that time were our sound track down to the bone. Our culture was in upheaval and we were all trying to make sense of it. Music showed us to ourselves.
I’ve spent time fingerpicking, messing with scales, learning parts of songs, getting frustrated and leaving it alone, and coming back. I’ve yet to become proficient (hear the judgement in that?) and I’ve yet to quit. My proof is that I still have my guitar.
hello Tony,i purchased a S6OriginalSF.about 10 weeks ago in an attempt to regain some joy in my life,i’m now 63 and dealing with P.T.S.D,i am trying to move forward in my creativity (going very slow),maybe this will help
Hey Tony
I’ve had a guitar for a long time and it picked it up and put it down several times. I want to give this a good try but I’m really having trouble getting my fingers to reach the places they need to go. Have you got any fingering exercises I can practice on the guitar neck to get my fingers more adept on the frets?
I have been playing guitar since high school, when I started writing songs. After years as a singer-songwriter and in other bands, I’ve still never felt like a good guitar player, and I don’t think I ever learned how to build a good practice habit/schedule. I like what you said about “playing instead of practicing”.
I just finished a really rough year that took me away from both writing and playing, and wanted a jump start. Looking forward to getting back in my fingers and back in the music. <3
Hi Tony,
I’m 70 now and started guitar about a year ago. I retired from 34 years of semiconductor manufacturing (brutal industry) at 63 shortly after my wife passed from cancer. My daughter is 30 and lives in an apartment so it’s just me and the two dogs now. I try to challenge myself with new things so I learned Greenland style sea kayak rolling, ski mountaineering, surfing, and some other things. I went to UC Berkeley 1973-77 and became a Grateful dead fan, frequently attending concerts at Winterland and Garcia shows at the Keystone which I found to be amazing. One week I attended 5 GD concerts in 5 days at the Orpheum in SF. “Life is just an intermission to a Grateful Dead concert” was our catch phrase. Friend of the Devil hits the spot for me. I do weekly guitar lessons and have some really nice guitars (Martin HD-28, American Strat, American Tele, and a few (too many!) others. I have a whole lot of amps too since I’m fundamentally an electromechanical technician (USMC radio repairman). At 70 years young the guitar journey has been slow, difficult, and challenging but fun also. My instructor is great but I have a little anxiety with my sloooow progress. Looking forward to the 5 day challenge and beyond. Cheers!
I dabbled in guitar at school (45 years ago, I’m 60 in three weeks) but never got to grips with it.
Maybe 25 years ago I picked up the 5-sting banjo and got to an advanced beginner level (is there such a thing?) and had a few tunes under my belt and was getting to a stage of improvising and working out tunes for myself.
Then a busy life took over and I set it down.
My son is into guitar and while he was away at college learning to make guitars I picked up one of the ones he left at home (a Gretsch 5420) and started dabbling again and I felt I really wanted to get beyond dabbling and get to a point where I could jam with him.
I ended up buying a couple of electrics (Squier Sonic Mustang and a CV60s Strat) and a Yamaha APX600 electro acoustic. I found myself playing the Yamaha most of the time. I then bought a Fender Artist series Strat, a Primal Scream edition (Primal Scream is one of my favourite bands), thinking that was my vibe, but I kept going back to the Yamaha.
I went into a guitar shop when I was in Glasgow visiting my son just to browse and ended up walking out with a Taylor 222ce which felt so nice (I’m quite a small person and it fits me really well) and sounded so good when I played my limited repertoire on it and that’s when I knew that acoustic is my thing. I love playing acoustic stuff. There are times when I get lost in just playing chords and chord progressions and find myself just starting to play stuff that turns into a versions of songs I know, they’re by no means cover versions but they’re fun for me.
I’ve found it’s acousic that I love and enjoy and I want to become a good acoustic guitar player and get to get to the point where I can join in sessions if I get the chance. I don’t really see myself as the front of the scene but more of a good solid backing to those who enjoy taking the lead . My dream is to play a good acoustic rendition of Sweet Home Alabama. I’ve got all the licks and riffs down and can make a decent fist of it and when it works I get a huge kick out of it. But I want to learn more. I want to be able to join in and play along to whatever tunes people are playing and also to enjoy playing on my own (which is most of the time because I live in the Shetland Islands where opportunties to play with others is limited).
So when I saw TAC I thought ‘this looks right up my street’ . I’ve taken up the challenge to get a taste and we’ll see where it goes from here. Done the first lesson and had fun. Looking forward to the rest of the week. Like your style Tony.
Been playing a long time “dabbler”, and took a break for a few years to run a business. This first lesson I thought, ‘no problem’ and yeah, I can do it, but it took about 50 tries to do it without buzzing a fret, dead string, wrong pick stroke, timing off, etc. About 20 minutes before I could do it flawlessly, and about 30 before I could do it twice in a row flawlessly, on acoustic, and longer on an electric, I’m excited to get it right this time.
Hi Tony. I am an outright beginner. I think I can get this first lesson but basic stuff like string and fret terminology are pretty new to me. What would you suggest to get me into the dabbler phase?
Hi.
53 year old complete beginner from England. Bought an electric guitar last week to hopefully get lost in playing music. Looking after family members doesn’t leave much time for me but I’m determined to learn.
I played the guitar in a band, and quite good, until I went in the Navy to serve aboard submarines and never played again…I recently retired as a Merchant Marine Captain. BTW-I played hockey in upstate NY until I went in the Navy. I decided to pick up the guitar and was shocked…to find that I didn’t remember SH&*!!! I’ve been working on strumming a few cords, primarily to toughen up my finger tips. Long story short…I’m a beginner again.
I grew up with a musical mom and extended family. Picked the guitar up at 15. Didn’t stick with it. Fast forward to 32, married a musician and I occasionally pick it up enough to dust off my skills but don’t stick with playing. Another fast forward 20 years and I can’t get enough and not willing to set it down again. I am really connecting with some of your YouTube videos and wanted to jump into this series. Thank you!! can’t wait to see how this helps me grow
Hi Tony,
I dabbled with classical guitar in my early twenties because my best friend was playing acoustic and I wanted to join him. Then life, work and family started taking up my time. Now decades later I came across your challenge and decided to become a player at last. Thank you for breaking down the skillsets and presenting them to us musically challenged individuals.
Lifelong beginner then my Pretty little tacoma neglected 15 years. Fret hand feels very stiff, hard to hammer with ring finger, feels stuck, ugh. First day of 5 day challenge, thinking it will take longer but I’ll try.
Never could seem to put all the instruction books together. Can play lessons, chords, etc. but cannot play one song.
Hi Tony… Im one of the folks that is on and off the guitar learning curve. Im going to stick with your intro lessons bvut it will take me more that 5 days I think. Ive had this nice Takamine for some time now and at 89 Im ging to work at your intro. Ill keep in touch on the progress… and thanks for these lessons for getting started without investing a lot of money until one gets motivated… much appriciated. Jeff
Hi Tony!
I am 62 years old, and I’ve had way too much education, which means I’ve had way too many professors. I don’t think I’ve ever had one, though, that understood the learning process and how to teach better than you. And I promise you, I’m not just saying that to be nice. I discovered you last week, and I was immediately inspired because I feel like the fire hose has finally been turned off, and now I can just drink from the fountain!
Now about me….
I began playing the guitar in 1973 at the age of 10. I had a good teacher and was making pretty good progress. So much so, in fact, that one day he sent me home with an Allman Brothers album to play over. However, I was raised in an extremely Baptist family (I’ve since recovered!), and my 10-year-old conscience wouldn’t allow me to play the “devil’s music.”
So I took a break from the guitar…. for a little over 45 years!
I always wanted to come back to it, and a few years ago I did, even signing up for lessons at my local Guitar Center. As a working professional, though, I couldn’t find enough time to practice and, although I’ve stuck with it, I haven’t made nearly the progress I should have.
I was also overwhelmed by all the different dimensions of playing, and I became confused, discouraged, and another victim of choice paralysis. I know all about modes, triads, CAGED, etc., yet I know nothing and don’t understand any of it!
I moved and ended my lessons at GC, and didn’t sign up in my new location. For the last year or two, I’ve been playing around on my own, trying to teach myself using YouTube, the Ultimate Guitar app, and a few other things. I’ve made progress, but not much.
Then I found one of your videos and the clouds seemed to part. I just started this course (already behind but catching up!), and I’ve made a solid decision to sign on and stick with it. I am extremely optimistic about this, for the first time in a while!
Thank you so much!!
Hi Tony finding this fun but does take a it of time to get it all right
Hi Tony
I’m 77 years old just starting learn how to play, I’ve tried following a Hal Leonard play guitar today book about 5 months. I have small. Hands and short chubby fingers and deaden strings and get buzzing also. I’m having trouble keeping up to you at the slowest speed.
Hi Tony, I was born in 1968. We lived on a farm in A one bedroom house. Above my crib hung my dad’s Gibson guitar, every night instead of a bedtime story, I got songs sung and played for me by my dad. When my hands got big enough to fit around the neck of his guitar, I just started playing what I saw every night. Singing his songs and playing along. Then I stopped playing in 1996. So, now I decided to pick it up again using my recently deceased son’s Orville guitar, Les Paul model.
I used to play and sing to my babies like my dad did to me, and my oldest son continued tradition but passed 4 years ago.
I thought I’m going to do this again with his guitars and play for my grandchildren, hoping that maybe they will find the joy that their uncle, and grandma, and great grandpa did.
Hi Tony
I took up guitar playing sometime in the 70s and played along with anyone that would. By sometime in the 80s I was pretty good although I couldn’t read a note and didn’t have any knowledge of music theory (still don’t) I guess I did pretty good jamming with friends and occasionally with some pros in clubs around the city until sometime in early 2000 when something happened that put me in a funk that still drags on me to this day. I’ve put new strings on my old acoustic/electric Gibson and I’m going to do your challenge to get back into playing.
Many years ago, I played chords to songs but did not progress. I was a very busy father of 6 children and coached soccer teams for 25 years. I’m now retired and enjoyed the day 1 lesson on my Taylor GS Mini. I used the PIP and slowed down the tempo to get things figured out. I had amazing fun! Thank you Tony!
I just turned 66 and have not played a guitar for a many years. In the past, I played chords to church songs and did very little picking. It took me a while on my virgin lesson one. I finally got the picking right when using PIP windows and slowing down the tempo. This is amazing fun on my GS Mini Mahogany guitar. Thank you Tony, your lessons are very well presented!
Hey Tony! Had a few guitar lessons 12 years ago but kept on hitting a wall. Picked it back up a fortnight ago and stumbled across your lessons. Just done the first lesson, already sounded good! Will practice that before lesson 2! Hoping to make more progress than last time using your techniques! Thanks
I am a lifelong piano player but have tried to learn guitar twice before. I don’t get the hammering technique—it seems like I’m trying to play a string without striking it with the pick? That was the hard part for me.
The second string buzzes.. I can’t get it clear .small hands):
I started playing at 16, after playing flute for years. Became more of a flute player and taught flute for several years .went into another career, but never gave up playing flute until an illness took my breath and voice. Now concentrating on guitar. I learned so much about applying theory to patterns and tricks on fretboard. Really, the only things I now struggle with are playing with a pick.. I have practiced some, but still seriously prefer my fingers touching the strings.i have a beautiful strat I may sell because I barely pick it up. I play fingerstyle ever day..for years. Other issue is I have a tremor in my fretting left hand. Really hard for vibrato! And. I am in my 70s. Got any memory tricks. Music keeps me young. My son said he really likes your lessons, so here I am to learn a Grateful Dead song my son can play really well!
After 2 hours my finger tips hurt, I have a break. but I enjoy it, I have a Maestro by Gibson Guitar perhaps that’s why.
Absolute beginner with 2 left hands and 5 thumbs on each hand and all the rhythm of a freight train but willing to give it a try. Wish me luck!
greetings Tony, been a novice for decades [i’m 70]. played guitar with my children but mostly via tablature. your list of ‘excuses’ resonated with me. i am a lifelong fan of the Dead so learning Friend of the Devil is quite inspiring.
I had guitar lessons as a kid up to 14. Played at church on a sunday as well. Gave up guitar when I changed school as no lessons available. Now late 50’s and want to take it up again. Excited to see what happens this week. I dont have a pletrum, Do you need to use one for this week?
Retired and want to learn Guitar. I tried another web based instruction and it went too fast for me. Excited to give it another try with Tony.
Excited to dive in! Started playing the first of this year, and I feel like I’m never sure exactly how to make good progress.
complete beginner .can.t wait to get going .retired.time on my hands .Duncan
I’m going to jump in and take the challenge. Enjoyed the first day. Very nice presentation. Looking forward to more.
I find Day 1 challenging from the first few steps: “hammer”?? My fingers are as much in each others’ way as every other time I’ve tried to learn!
Hi Tony, I picked up the guitar years ago and many times through the years but always stuck or overwhelmed watching video after video, class after class.
Really digging day 1 of this challenge. I have been a beginner for a year, still cannot play a song and I am feeling stuck after a year with JustinGuitar app lessons. I have a deep passion for guitar, I have wanted to play my entire life, now 43, I don’t want to wait any longer. 2026 has to be the year I become a guitar player!
I’e had a Matsuoka Classical since 1970s, the headstock broke, but I repaired it recently and may try to restore it some more, but it’s got a rosewood body, spruce top, ebony keyboard, reasonable machines and new nylon strings. I’m retired and look forward to some enjoyment with it.
Started lessons in my early teens, but never progressed past “beginner”. I’m 65 now. Dabbled a little over the years, but haven’t picked it up in the last couple of decades. Just did lesson one of the 5-day challenge. Fat fingered and very tender finger tips! Feels like the first time. Looking forward to this though.
I got a guitar for Christmas when I was 15 years old, took a few lessons and played some familiar songs around our campfires. I never really got going, just learned on my own. Because that was 50 years ago, and after watching this video, I think I am long past being able to even understand what you’re explaining here.
Got 4 lessons back in college in 1986, and have just played rhythm guitar on my own since then. No other lessons. Can’t read music. So nearly 40 years of being a mediocre rhythm guitar player.
Tony – I purchased TAC in Jan 2023 & worked at it for 2 months. My wife is invalid, requiring care 24/7 & each time I sat down to learn more, I got distracted to the point that I just stopped. But I’m going to give it another go!
Terminal beginner that played then did not. First time in + years
I started playing back in the 60’s when the Beatles were playing (I was 13). I kept playing for years later until my early 30’s when I started working. I also married a guitar player, so I started relying on him to play while I sang in bands. I really just stopped playing and now that I am retired I am picking guitar up again. I am a dabbler, I play open mics, but I am not progressing–really just stuck. I hope this program opens me up to a learning method that keeps me evolving without commiting to hours of practice.
Getting it but my finger tips get sore so fast! Any helpful tips for the tip?
I’ve been dabbling for a few years, but jumping here and there, Learning some chords, then not being sure of how to move forward.