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.
jmullany@gmail.com I had previously signed up for Fretboard Wizzard. If I re-join will that still be honored?
Hi John, Please reach out to TAC Support for this. Email them at: support@tonypolecastro.com They will be happy to assist you.
In 1964, I took up guitar because I wanted to sing and play Beatles songs. But I ended up taking Classical guitar lessons and playing 1960s folk music. But I have so much stage fright that even recording my playing for myself produces a lot of errors. I don’t use a pick (no pick guard) on my lovely mahogany guitar, but I’ll try to thumb-out that bass part.
I started playing at age 67. I am now 77 and still just using the basic chords. Everything I have learnt has been on YouTube.
82 years old , just starting.. I bought first banjo when I turned 78, now I am trying to added guitar.
Been playing for a long time…picked up good & bad habits! Definitely going to try the 5 day challenge! thank you!!
I’m 68 years old, wanted to play guitar when I was 10, The public school system in the Bronx had a guitar program for 25 cents per week including the guitar rental, I was poor but had some birthday money, I had $2. I paid for some lessons with the hope that my parents would continue the lessons or I would somehow come up with the money. Not realizing I needed to spend a dollar on purchasing the Alfred basic book1. The school had given me a brand-new Gibson LG1. Till this day I can remember the beauty and smell of that guitar. I was so happy to get started and to play. Well after a month I need to continue to come up with the .25 per week to continue. When I went to my parents they told me we could not afford it. I was lost and my heart was broken. One of the worse days of my life was the day I had to surrender my guitar.
I remember the disappointment in watching the guitar players playing on stage together for the schools Christmas concert. When I turned 18, I purchase my first guitar a 1975 Epiphone, and purchased a record album course called the quick picking fun strumming guitar lessons for $19.99. I learned to play the basic chords and read some music but soon became frustrated and gave up. Fast forward to 1992, a few guys I worked with were playing their guitars and I decided to pick it up once again. I purchased a 1991 Les Paul Standard of which I brought into Fat Tuesday’s on a Monday night and had Les Paul actually play and sign the guitar on his 80th Birthday celebration. Life once again, got in the way, work, night school, kids. and the guitars went into hiding. In 2017 I broke my back and became disabled and lost the ability to walk normally, I needed a walker or a cane, in constant pain. Went into a deep depression because my life changed drastically and was forced to retire. When I stopped to think what brings me joy, the answer was to play the guitar, but now I was Bewildered, where do I start? Which guitar is the best? what courses should I take? What kind of music do I want to play? The answer was YES. I started purchasing guitars, and courses to short circuit my guitar playing I wan to go from zero to rockstar overnight, all I need was the right guitar (????) and the right course (????). I literally spent thousands on courses and online guitar lessons, And Guitars, I probably have upwards of 50 guitars. i would say anywhere between $50 and $100K in guitars. I spent more time hunting for the instant solution verses actually playing! I did take your course a few years back but didn’t continue because I had another medical mishap, but you were excellent and when I followed the program I actually progressed. Just recently after a recovery from the latest challenge I went back to the purchasing of guitars and lessons once again. I came across you on Facebook and realize you were the only program that actually worked. I found, you need a structure, need to stop searching for the Excaliber solution and start playing. MY goal years ago was to attend one of your guitar geeks unite groups and be one of your success stories. I don’t have much of a life, but I must say the guitar is an outlet that truly brings me joy. I’ve come a long way from the poor kid in the Bronx that couldn’t afford .25 to continue my lessons in 4th grade. So, to add to that story if I’m in a music store and I see a kid with their parents and the parents are trying to talk the kid into buying a cheap guitar to get started I pull them aside and give the kid a Gibson, Martin, or a Fender. Hopefully it will help. I actually purchased a 1966 vintage Gibson LG1 just to get the guitar that started it all for me. I was in a Sam Ash a few years back and some kid was looking for a guitar to start lessons, and the Mom couldn’t afford more than $100 to buy a guitar. I gave that guitar to her for her son. It made me happy to see the look in the kids eyes, brought back memories to the day I first saw that guitar. I have not pulled the trigger on the challenge just yet, I am taking the 5 day freebee, If I will hopefully be joining you within the next day or so. Thanks Tony you are a great teacher, with a phenomenal program.
Tried first lesson. Feel clumsy but excited to try. I played chords and strumming only as a teen. Coming back now after many years!!!
Can I get the string and fret for the first part? I can’t follow your fingers. I think you said you’re playing the same note on two different strings. I’m too new to figure that out.
Assuming you are learning friend of the devil; The beat is 1 & 2 & 3 4. On beat 1 you play the 4th fret of the low E string (string 6) on the & of 1 you hammer on the 5th fret of the E string. On beat 2 you play the 5th fret of the E string. On the & of 2 you play the open A string (5th string). On beat 3 you play the 5th fret of the E string. The & of 3 is a rest. On beat 4 play the 5th fret on the E. On the & of 4 you play the open A again. Move up one string and play the whole pattern again. The pattern is the same for the E, A and D strings. Because of the half step offset in the tuning of the G string (3rd string) you have to move to frets 3 and 4 on that string. Then; on the B string (2nd string) you move back to frets 4 and 5. Once I figured it out the hardest part was playing it slow enough to stay with the looping video.
Tip: when trying to figure out any new piece of music, start with the rhythm. In this case that’s 1 & 2 & 3 4
Referring to lesson one of five day trial
I have dabbled on and off for years. I know some chords nut no real strum patterns and my timing and rhythm suck, but I do like your modular training approach. I have to admit that I’ve been trying to get this first challenge for five days now, lol. I stop when I start to mentally struggle and always end on a positive note.
Been playing for 30 years. Started by taking lessons from a brilliant guitar player who played in jazz bands. His lessons were very formal, grinding through Mel Bay’s book picking out tunes, classical and folk. I wanted to just play chords and bash out Beatles tunes. I taught myself chords and rhythm and learned songs from the radio making up the chords to the song myself. Learned a little finger picking but have mostly been a “chord guy” and not lead picking style. Want to expand into that. Coming back after only playing sporadically for a few years. Thanks Tony.
I am a beginner. I know a tiny bit. My husband plays. I finally got the first part of this lesson. I am afraid to move on until I have the rest. I hope it won’t disappear. Thank you, for the help… I hope I can surprise my husband … he will be so happy! He tries to teach me… lol!
I’ve always had a passion for music, i love all instruments. I have done very little dabbling in guitar over the last 40 years and never had any instruction so never progressed more than a couple chords. I’m looking forward to this week of insight and learning. I’ve watched day one (I’m a day behind due to work) but have my guitar handy and will watch the video again and learn something. My issue is dexterity, im 53 and fingers just don’t move like they should. Thank you Tony for hosting this for everyone to enjoy and learn.
Lifetime beginner…
So far so good. Lifetime beginner, but I keep on pursuing it.
Expert harmonica player, have held a guitar, electric or acoustic, for years in bands where I am the or a singer. Now I want to perform solo on my new, first good, acoustic guitar. Know a lot but mostly grab chords by full-barreing. Pick player now trying also thumb-pick and fingers, as I did when a kid with my older sister’s folk band.
Great way to get back into playing.
I started playing guitar 45 yrs ago not very well, but now that I’m retired and I’m 60 I thought I would give it another try. so I went and purchased an inexpensive guitar. And found you. and doing this challenge.
so I feel like I’m starting at day 1 sore fingers but practicing 10 minutes a day for the past week.
I am a 61 y/o long life beginner.
I started taking classes in Madrid, Spain where I lived for 2 years. I took group classes with a teacher starting in 2019, until my wife got sick and I couldn’t continue anymore. My wife is doing great, and now I can go back to start on learning to play again. I learned a few things in Spain, but like everything else, if you don’t practice you forget it. I hope I can fit in your program and finally become a guitar player.
Learned House of the Riding Son and Tom Dooley as a young kid from my rock-n-roller Dad, jammed w/his band as a teenager, then pretty around the house. Taught my Son what I knew, and through lessons, he became a fantastic player. But neither of us knows the basics, just really learned to play by ear. I’m 61 and just graduated from Guitars for Vets… It feels SO good to pick up the guitar again! I hope to pay it forward, but for myself, I’m enjoying having the help to move beyond my comfort zone. 1st lesson was put together so well, thank you!✌️
I’m a intermediate/ beginner classical guitar player but I’m most proud to say I’ve practiced for over a year without missing a day and excited to be trying something completely new
I always wanted to play the guitar even as a kid. When I was about 10 I got an electric guitar for my birthday I think or it may have been Christmas. I’m now 61 so that memory is a little fuzzy lol.
I took some lessons but I never progressed any where. Over the years I got rid of the electric guitar.
I think I was about 30, I still jad the desire to play guitar. My wife got me an acoustic guitar and again took a couple of lessons but just had a difficult time putting it together and had a hard time transitioning from one chord to another.
So now it’s been 31 years, thousands of dollars spent on online and DVD courses, with still no progress. I still know a few chords but can’t transition from one to another. I pick it up occasionally and say that I’m going to try again. I go for a few days, get frustrated and it goes back in the case.
So I see some hope from this 5 day challenge. I plan to see how it goes and if it goes well, I’ll sign up for the paid course when I get back from vacation.
I played in my 20’s, now getting back to it in my 50’s
I spent a lot of time alone when I was young ..My Mom was a truck stop waitress and a bar maid . She worked a lot to support the the two of us . We ran from an abuser that followed and found us no matter where we moved to ..We lived from New York City to Miami to ft.Worth Texas..long story short ,I picked up guitar at 12 years old . It became my constant companion . It allowed me to be accepted socially when I otherwise would not . It made me many adult friends . I taught myself through books . There were no videos back in the day ..I watched t.v. shows like he haw , Bobby Goldsboro show and such . I watched band members in the clubs where my Mom worked before business hours while they warmed up and set up . I progressed to intermediate , but it seems I kinda got stuck at that level . School . Adulthood . Military service . Working for a living afterward . Driving a big truck , long haul cross country for 45 years . My wife of 45 years died 2 and a half years ago . I retired and now have nothing but time in my hands so , once again , at 67 years old , my guitar is pretty much my one and only constant companion . It’s hard to learn new things at this age , plus arthritis, other physical conditions are a factor as well . Your teaching technique is a great approach to guitar to enhance learning . I plan to pay for the premium my next social security check. I look forward to learning new songs and techniques from you . Thank you and
Be blessed Tony
How do I deal with fat finger syndrome? I am not able to get clear sound from the strings below.
Was playing fairly well until I broke my fret hand last summer. Healed very well without surgery and excited to get back to playing. Thanks for the day 1 ! Where is day 2?
Hi Stephan, It’s possible it’s gone to spam, however we have Emailed Day 2 to you again. Hope that helps!
Tony! You were right! In this video you told us we would learn and by the end, we would know it. I’m geaking out. I replayed this exercise prior to starting Day 2, and I remembered it without the video! Woohoo!
Tony
Love this. I picked up the guitar just two months ago age 70. I will be a couple days behind because of other obligations but I will learn. I can play open cords
I am one of those lifetime beginners. Never have enough time to really learn what I am doing and I don’t just pick it up and play around.
I played professionally from my teens through my late 30s. I was in a car accident and hit my head twice and got 2 concussions at the same time. My short term memory after that wasn’t as good as it was before so I had to start using cheat sheets as training wheels on stage. Life got busy, I got a real job and never got back to where I was before. When I jam with friends I don’t always remember what chords are in what key so I get lost then confused and do the cardinal sin of stopping in the middle of a song. I just want guitar to be fun again, it was my play thing as a kid and helped me not starve as a young adult.
Broke fingers on right hand this morning, dumb ass – I know, so much for the week challenge. I will still watch but am on DL for awhile.
I have had 2 lessons in August of 2001. I bought a backpacker guitar to practice on the road since I traveled 265 days a year. The Sept 11 happened and you could not travel with a guitar. So I gave up. I am now getting ready to retire and there are a few songs I want to play to add to my performance as the jolly old elf.
Getting back into playing again after more years off than I care to think about. Didn’t realise how clumsy my fretting had become until I started on the Day 1 challenge
I started playing guitar at the age of 55, following retirement, and I’ve been playing for about a year now. Like you, I had the hockey background. When I left the army, I picked up hockey goaltending and played for several years until my job finally intervened. I do have musical knowledge in my background… played trumpet for 8 years until I graduated high school, and I’ve played the keyboard for several years now. I’ve been trying to learn guitar the hard way – self taught – but I’m hoping to see better progress with a little guidance!
I’ve got to be honest, this exercise wasn’t fun. Maybe it’s because I’m not a “dead head.” Tony, you repeatedly made a point of saying that tedious, repetitive practice doesn’t help to inspire passion for playing. Right out of the gate you hit us with finger picking, without context for how this fits in the song. Am I missing something?
Cool little trick – simple to get under your fingers but will take a bit of practice to master…nice
Good stuff. So I started at age 54 just five months ago and I am a little lost… studied some theory and it really makes me more confused. Would like to learn how to build chords for sure and play some acoustic licks. I inherited a harmony from my mother and always wanted to play. I just added a Martin D10 to my guitarsenal and I am eager to play more than just a few chords. Thx
Thanks just getting back after many years now retired lol means tired again
I used to play and sing in church 30 years ago and now after retiring, I am picking up my acoustic guitar again. I am self-taught and learned many, but not all, chord shapes. My question is: What skill level is required for TOC? I have not learned picking yet, I heard of tabs but don’t know what they are, and I know the names of the strings, but cannot play scales. Is this the right course for me?
All I’m getting when I click play is a black screen. Am on an iPad to view
Hi Roger, You may have better luck using chrome. If not, please reach out to TAC Support for help. They will be happy to assist you.
Email: support@tonypolecastro.com
I have played the guitar on and off for 40 years. I have played in some worship bands, and attended month jazz schools for the fun of it several times. Know the fret board quite well and my scales. Mostly played by ear but over the past fours years I have trying to learn theory. I have been focusing a lot on acoustic and learning bluegrass the past five years. Looking to acquire new ways to think about jamming. So I will give it a try.
I can’t seem to get the Day1 class
Hiya! Please reach out to TAC Support for some help with this. They will be happy to assist. Email: support@tonypolecastro.com
I’m a long time complete beginner starting again. Think tis might be more of a 5 week challenge for me.
Seems a lot my friend.
I’m a newbie at 69. I’ll let you know.
I’ve been playing for almost 50 years now off an on. I have about 15 songs in my rotation that I can play but that’s it. Looking to finally expand my horizons!
I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s story. Here is mine: As a teen, I was motivated to learn guitar so that I could play with others at church worship services. Someone loaned me a guitar and I started teaching myself chords and strumming. My parents noticed my interest and determination, and they bought me my own guitar. This was in the 70s, which means that I am the owner of a beautiful vintage Yamaki guitar which produces a rich, velvety sound. It’s made of maple, cedar, mahogany, and rosewood. It has been sitting in its case, neglected, for more years than I care to admit. My new motivation for learning to play (beyond my love, love for music!) is to honor and do justice to my instrument and to my parents’ memories (they both passed in their 90s 10+ years ago). While they were good parents, they were not usually very generous to me and my siblings when it came to material things, so that act of purchasing that guitar for me was particularly meaningful. They even went out together to purchase it, which was also highly unusual. A few weeks ago, I started taking group lessons through City of London (Ontario, Canada) where I live. I admire my teacher, who is a professional musician, and I have been working hard without feeling as though I am making progress. Tony’s approach makes so much sense to me, pedagogically speaking (I’m a former school teacher and recent Master of Education graduate). Also, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate his anti-ageism! I am 64 years old, and so gratified to see so many other people here in my age bracket.
I picked up guitar when I was about 12 and took lessons for a few years. When my grandfather passed, I fell out of the lesson routine and seemed to get too busy working and studying to keep it up. I’m 24 now and coming back to it largely out of inspiration from seeing one of my favorite bands live last month and realizing how much I’ve missed it. Looking forward to this week!
I’ve always loved music of all types, and wished I could play. For my 55th birthday, I bought an acoustic guitar and three months of lessons. I didn’t care for the lessons much, and the instructor pushed me toward electric guitar. I also struggled with motivation to play, because I don’t have an “end goal”. It’s not like I’m going to join a band and become a rock star in my late 50s, so it felt like I was practicing without purpose. I hope this challenge will inspire me to be a guitar player just for the sheer joy of it. When it comes down to it, I just want to be able to sit on my porch and play the songs I love.
Hey Tony. When I was about nine years old, I found my grandfather‘s guitar in the closet. I picked it up. My mom said do you wanna learn, and I’ve been strumming away ever since. I’m at a point now where I have played in a small time band and done some open mics but now would like to learn more about soloing guitar and really what is it I should be practicing. I have a repertoire of maybe 20 songs that I just play over and over I’m self-taught so I thought some disciplined instruction wouldn’t be a bad idea so I’m giving the five day challenge a shot.
Hi Tony – I’m self taught on acoustic guitar starting at age 10. I learned to play mostly folk type songs often using a simple form of travis picking. I have played keyboards and bass (I took lessons for a few years) in an amateur classic rock cover band for the last 25 years. Mostly I’d use tabs and figure out what I needed to play. I am now retired and wish to improve my acoustic playing – particularly as I have now played a couple of acoustic gigs! I would consider myself an intermediate. I am interested in your course and hope that I don’t have to wait for each lesson to appear and that I can fast forward through the parts that come easily to me. So far, I really like your approach.
Hello Tony, Been playing 2 years and kinda got burned out. Time to try something new or forget about it. Thank you for getting us right into a real song instead of just cords after cords. Looking forward to a new start…