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.
I’ve been playing and teaching for over 30 years and working with Guitarsforvets.org has been the most fulfilling time, I wish to share this with our vets at James Lovell FHCC and our cyber group..
Grad from Guitar4Vets and just starting at age 68.
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the first lesson – happy to get stuck in. Im a very new player – been at it for about 6 months and looking to find a more structured approach to learning. Playing the guitar was a life long dream – and finally at the age of 39 i have started my journey 😀
Tried learning a three years ago. My grandson picked up my guitar and showed a lot of interest, so I give him my 3/4 acoustic guitar, then just kind of got away from it. A year later he wanted an electric guitar so I built him one instead buying him one, that led into an obsession of building guitars. 11 guitars later I thought how silly it is to build them and not be able to play them, so here we are.
Long time bucket list. Started the guitar a couple of times over the years. Started again in January 2025. Play practically every day. Lovin it, but have felt a little stagnant. Excited for the next challenge. Thanks Tony!
Bruce
I am playing guitar for the past four years. I would classify myself as a low intermediate player. I’m somewhat struck at this point in this journey spending more time on music theory than guitar playing skills and fluency. My focus is to significantly improve my guitar playing !
I started playing about 3 years ago…I am rolling past my mid-50’s. I have work with an instructor a few times a month but I feel I need more structure to move me on to the next skill level. So far…. this program seems to be exactly what I have been searching for! Excited for the days ahead!
hi I am 15 yrs old and I have started to learn guitar and I really do hope I will be able play it better
I am 77 years old. I played saxophone in high school and college, but did not play again until I was 55. I had dabbled with guitar a couple times but never stayed with it. Four years ago I moved half way across the country. I left my saxes behind and decided I would learn guitar. I play acoustic at our senior center once a week. I have a decent grasp of most of the chords but I would like to go further than that.
Tony,
I am 61 years old, getting close to retirement.
Always wanted to play guitar, played bass for a couple years as a teenager but never serious. Thought I would now buy a 6 string and see if I could learn to play. My fingers do not move as easy as yours but maybe with some practice I can learn how to play. Thanks for your time and your help !
Steve
I started in a band at 16 – that’s 50 years ago – on the piano but became a Guitar George! I’ve started this course but found I don’t have the pressure or precision to play single notes so it’s taking me ages for each lesson. I hope they will be available after the course ends. Anyway, it;s going well but slowly. Thanks for the help, I’ll stick at it. David, Kent UK
tried it today 23 Sept….very good…will need practice for fluency though..ThaNKS…GOING TO CHECK TODAYS ITEM NOW 23.19…GOT A WINDOW
Hi Tony. This is what I have been yearning for, for yrs. I am a forever beginner and didn’t know how to move forward. I think this just might be it. It is intimidating, though you have really broken it down and made it simple. I may have to do day one more than one day before I can move to day 2.
I am stuck playing alternating bass chords or playing melody. Pretty boring and I’ve played for nursing homes. I gave up on guitar. I play melody on mandolin ,while my husband plays chords on dulcimer. I really like your first lesson. I need some fluff in my playing. I took a break during Covid and would love to get some new skills
Great first day! Thanks for giving me a chance to learn guitar at my age. (70) I am loving it! Majored in music in college years ago but never really mastered any instrument. Sad but true. This is my final push to enjoy playing music…for the sheer pleasure of it. Thanks for making this possible.
Hey, I’m excited about starting to play again! I was a touring musician many years ago (a couple of 80’s pop bands, then a traveling country group in the 90’s). Please rhythm guitar and keys. Then I stopped to raise my lovely set of triplets… so other than playing for them when they were little, I haven’t played at all in the last 25 years. Now I’m 60, and my hands have gotten stiff and clumsy. I really hope these little sessions help me get playing again. Maybe not to the degree I used to, but at least so that I can enjoy making music – maybe by the campfire, or maybe just in my corner of the basement?
I’ve been playing quite sometime.
Have a long story but I’ll leave you the meat and potatoes…
First off thank you.!
One of my fav songs is friend of the devil.!
I have 22 songs on Spotify.
Been writing, speaking, rapping for what seems my whole life., picked up a guitar as a child my grandad built. Always knew I wanted to play. Never put the time into. Though the past 5 years and especially the past 3 I’ve played everyday. My income comes from busking., I play a lot of shows., small, big, medium stages. And I play many hrs daily.
Recently seen your course and said ok… let’s stick through this one.!
Mostly self taught but willing to learn and listen, watch and focus.
One more thank you from the top and bottom of my heart.
Here’s to the 5 day course.
I’d say I’m more than amateur on guitar but my voice is where I really shine., as well my lyrical wordplay and cadence.
That said.. I really want to bring my guitar playing level up!
Sincerely
-Flash
Greetings and Salutations Tony-
I am a beginner; I have owned a guitar for 30 years. I’ve messed around from time to time trying but I lacked a program and consistency. I’m retired now so I have a better chance at getting consistent practice.
I live in Southwestern ND in a town called Dickinson. I’m hoping to be able to play the guitar in the beautiful Badlands of ND. It would be awesome if I could.
Shawn
This challenge looks super fun! Just a couple strings sounds amazing! I’m brand new to guitar- I’ve been trying to figure out chords and transitions and finger exercises etc. I basically feel like I have zero coordination along with being all pinky’s . BUT I’m still loving the process and get way too excited when I can make a chord sound good! This challenge is most likely over my head but I’m going to give it a shot anyway – I love your energy and encouragement on the process! Can’t wait to see what I can make happen – thanks for the awesome tutorials
Took a quick tutorial on how to do hammer on… very cool! Going to take me longer than a day to get good on this 1st lesson… very slow but getting there 🙂
Hi Tony, just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to do these video lessons. I have just recently retired and I mentioned to my wife I would like to learn how to play guitar so I can play for us in our retirement on the beach. So she bought me a guitar 10 months ago and I was instantly hooked. I am self taught . Practice at least 3 – 4 times a week. I know the open chords. Quite a few licks and everything is getting cleaner and chord transitions are improving with time. I play mostly classic rock. Still can’t put full songs together other than simple 2 or 3 chord songs, moving around on the fret board between chords and notes quickly and correctly is where I struggle. So I just keep trying to learn new licks and play them untill I get them clean with tempo and move on.. currently licks like intro to Layla, band on the run, feeling like making love, day tripper, we are the champions, etc. So this is where I am on my journey 10 months in. I am happy with my progress so far, but really inspire to be a real guitarist and I hope your lessons will get me there. Thanks again Tony
Hi Tony! Hi everybody! I’ve learned a bazillion songs over 45 years of playing but I haven’t gotten better at playing since high school. I taught myself how to play guitar for the most part. My musical journey started when I was forced to take piano lessons, which I hated as a youngster, then played trumpet in grade school, and chose to play violin as well. I can’t play any of those instruments anymore. Don’t ask me to (just kidding). I started out teaching myself guitar (at age 15, I bought my friend’s guitar for $50) using a Beatles songbook that had incorrect chords for some songs, a Wings Complete songbook, a Grateful Dead Anthology songbook, a Peter, Paul, & Mary songbook, a James Taylor songbook, a Dan Fogelberg songbook (not all songbooks at the same time – it was gradual), and then by listening to records and figuring out chords of different artists that were easy – like Bob Dylan. Sometimes the alternate tunings threw me off, like when trying to learn Neil Young and Jackson Browne. Now there’s Ultimate Guitar that has chords that are mostly correct, and I use a tuner. Before there were tuners I used a piano for the first note and then my ear. I probably lost my ear training because of using a tuner. I do not like tablature. I learned all my instruments using actual notes so that’s what I prefer. I know the notes of each string up past the 12th fret but I am not quick at it. I’d like to learn all the notes so I am able to go from string to string more easily if I ever learn to solo or learn double stops (I think I’m using the correct term). Anyway, I’m gonna try this method and see how it goes. This first exercise I am taking slowly. I hope I’ll be ready for whatever tomorrow brings. I’ll probably have to review today’s exercise before starting the new thing. Peace!
Hi Tony!
Name’s Alex, and I believe I fit into the category of “Lifelong Beginner” as you put it.
My parents paid for my guitar lessons when I was in Middle and Highschool, and I was the bad student who’s teacher saw potential in, but never practiced. I’ve decided to finally try my hand at music again, since my career now lies within the arts. (Voice Actor website below) It’s Day one and I’m already optimistic! Thank you for providing this opportunity to get back into what I had previously discarded out of apathy, self doubt, and shame! God Bless ya!
My mom was a piano teacher, and tried to teach me, though i wasn’t interested in playing piano. My dad however played guitar, and I loved when he played, and asked if he could teach me how to play guitar instead of learning piano. I was around 13, he sat me down, then after about 15 minutes he said “i can’t teach you, you have damn ‘girl hands'” Not the sort of thing a 13 year old boy wants to hear, but i digress, i didn’t try to learn for another 10 years. I saw a cheap yamaha acoustic at the local Sears one day, and decided to pick it up and teach myself. I love playing, though I have let it lapse quite a bit in recent years. Now my son (13 yo) is maybe interested in playing, so i’m trying to be more encouraging than my father was in that regard. Now my father has passed away, but before he died, we were able to play guitar together at family gatherings. He will deny my “damn girl hands” story, but I always joked with him about it. Now his guitar is hanging on my office wall with my other guitars.
I retired and bought a ukulele. I played every day and learned some basics. I found tons of stuff on YouTube and signed up for a years worth lessons. Worth it. I got to the point after 3 years that I started thinking about guitar. I dabbled when I was a teenager in the 70’s. Learning by ear off records. Had no idea about open tunings etc.. Took lessons, briefly. Then as the saying goes, life happened. School. Work. Couldn’t afford a good guitar. That is, one that had playable action. And my parents weren’t into helping, so it got set aside. Now that I’m retired, I can practice and put my work in. And I love it. Finding songs on YouTube is great. All the songs from the 70’s. That’s how I have been teaching myself. But I feel like something is lacking as far as form. And that’s why I am here. And also to pick up anything more you have to offer. I have a couple of issues that I am working through. Dupuytren’s Syndrome in both hands. Mildly. Had surgery on my fretting hand 3 years ago which shut down my Uke playing. I started playing again after 9 months. It was painful, but I was determined. My thumb won’t open up all the way now. Most people can form an “L” with their index and thumb. I can barely make the “J” shape. But I can play. It’s hard to press my thumb on the back of the neck for C chord shape and F. And about 3 months ago I found out I have Polymyalgia rheumatica. Makes everything stiff. But I still play. I’m on prednisone. So I’ll see what happens when I get off that. Bought a Yamaha CSF3M parlor. Love it. I also have a Lotus L-220. And 3 Uke’s. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Thanks for your efforts and dedication.
I like your honest and straight forward approach. I love playing the guitar and feel like a lifelong student and admirer of the instrument and its limitless expression!
Hiya,
I’m a guitar beginner, what’s a ‘Hammer-on’ and how do you do it? I thought you’d start with naming the strings and explaining how to read Tab. I think this might be too advanced for me. Ger
Hi Tony. Yup, that’s me, a lifelong beginner. I played with some friends in my late teens, learned a few songs – strumming only, and ever since then I would pick up the guitar every once in a while, but nothing structured and no skill to speak of. I know a handful of chords, progressions and some runs. Heck, I have trouble remembering the names of the strings and notes. Any tips for that?
Anyway, back to your lesson.
Hi Miguel, Please reach out to TAC Support here: support@tonypolecastro.com They will be happy to tell you more about TAC – and how it can help you to achieve your guitar goals.
Hi Tony, our stories are eeerrily similar, I too am a goalie with big aspirations to play in the nhl, GO LEAFS, didn’t get the call up and started playing guitar when I was 25 years old, I consider myself a very amateur guitar player, I know the basic chords, A,E,C,D,EM,AM,F,G, no barre chords and as long as I play alone I sound ok lol, one of my biggest hurdles or better put “excuses” is my chording hand always seems to mute or muff the lower string, I will say that I think you have your work cut out for you teaching me but I really want this and I do believe I am capable, thank you in advance for getting me excited about attempting to finally be good enough to play in front of anyone, which I am to afraid to do at the moment, take care and thank you once again, Kurt
HI, Tony,
i am sorry. i did not realise at first it was for Acoustic Guitar, however I am using my Electric, so so far great
thank you
Kelvin aged 74
I Just turned 67 and retired at the same time. I and have never played/practiced/studied the guitar. However, I am a huge singer songwriter fan with a fair voice and I have often wondered how cool it would be if I could sing and play the guitar. My Father-In-Law played the electric guitar and my wife inherited it when he passed away. It is a cool guitar, a Zim-Gar, apparently made in the 60’s (all of the guys at the guitar shop went nuts when I brought it in for a tune up). The Zim-Gar is now working great, I got a little amplifier and now I am ready to learn new skill.
I plunked around for a few days, found videos on how to tune a guitar and how to string a guitar and started trying to learn how to play the guitar. I found out pretty fast that there are 1,000’s of of “How to play a guitar” video programs on the internet, but I invested the time to look at 10 of them, including TAC.
What I like about TAC is the structure of the program and the logic behind it. Having run a large company for many years, I used structure to drive consistency in my policies, procedures and protocols for myself and my employees. And the logic in TAC just makes sense to me. Learn the five fundamentals individually and then play a song, as opposed to having to learn all five collectively as you learn the song. Just makes sense.
Anyway, the proof will be in the pudding as they say. I will diligently learn and practice the five day challenge and If I can play something that even resembles Friend of the Devil I will happily invest in the rest of the TAC program.
Tony, your teaching style looks great and just what I need. I’m a 68-year-old retiree. I learned guitar when I was in 6th grade, mostly self-taught. I mostly played to accompany groups at church and camps for singing, and mostly on a 12-string. About 25 years ago, I got less and less interested (probably due to my aging guitar and some life changes). After a few years of frustration, I tried a new guitar, but have realized the “fit” was never right for me, so I failed to spark any fun and therefore momentum in playing. Now I’m wanting to get back into it. My fingers are out of shape, but I went to a music store with intention to exchange my 12-string Martin (sadly!) for a new guitar that would better fit me . I’ve got a beautiful and smaller Ibanez six-string that I’m SO excited to play, and finally learn more about picking and fingering notes at a higher level, plus strengthen enough to be able to bar chords – which I could never do. Thanks!
I must be retarded because I can’t follow what you are doing. I am sure it’s me and not the actual lesson. I have been trying to learn guitar for years. I should probably just give up. Like the old saying, try and try again, then give up, there’s no sense in being a fool about it.
Hi Tom! I’d love to tell you more about TAC and how it can help you to achieve your guitar goals. Even if you are a beginner, and even if you have begun many times…TAC can help! Email us: support@tonypolecastro.com
Fun. Not one a day for five days. Takes a few days for me to get it. I’m 71.
Day 1 challenge video keeps going blank half way through
Hi Robert, It may help to reboot and change browsers.
I just turned 70. I played piano and trumpet in elementary and high school. I played guitar in my twenties. Not very well. Mostly first position cowboy chords. I started playing clawhammer banjo in 2010. I play almost every day. I got an erge to re-start on guitar last year and have been looking for the right resources to help. I have been trying to learn some theory, and get my hands back in shape to play chords. What I’ve seen here so far, looks interesting.
I have a beautiful classical guitar i haven’t touched since I stred grad school about 20 years ago. I am retired now . I was never that good at it. I used it to accompany songs I sang- many of which I wrote myself. A permanst internedite I’d say. But I used to love it and I want it back!
Been “playing” (should say “had a guitar) since high school. The little I know is from moving the needle on my record player to the same phrase over and over until I faked something similar.
Much older now and want to try to learn guitar.
Self taught guitar in 2018 to be able to play sing alongs during a week long trip with two families to Lake Powell. 3-4 chord songs. Haven’t progressed beyond that but already excited by the skills I will learn in this first challenge!
Just picked up a guitar when I retired. Been playing it for 3 years now. My age is 76
Way too fast and i have no idea what chords you’re playing even tho I know C, G. B, d And A-
I am getting a late start due to family issues, but I am here now. My hammer ons are weak…any thoughts? As for my background, lifelong beginner I guess. Started in 5th grade, but had a teacher who thought teaching me by ear only on songs I wasn’t familiar with discouraged me, so I tried to do self taught with the Alfred method. Eventually dropped, then in my 40’s I decided I wanted to try again, and got a teacher who thought the Parkening method was the way to go since I was interested in fingerstyle. I did well with this, but ended up outplaying my teacher who really was a saxophone player. At the same time, I got my dream job which required me to fly around the country every week to different clients. I couldn’t bring my guitar with me and I had very little time off, so it got put to the side once again. Fast forward and my grandson wanted to learn guitar, so I picked it up again and spent time remembeingr what I knew and also learning things from the internet. My grandson has quit, but I have been playing around for a few years. I am much better than I was, but still beginner because I haven’t focus enough. Looking into different programs to see what method might work for me in a more formal approach then just searching youtube…ha. ha.
Hi Connie! We can help! I’d love to tell you more about TAC and how it can help you to achieve your guitar goals, as well as being part of an active and thriving Community of Guitar Geeks. Please write to me: support@tonypolecastro.com
Hey Tony, you suggested a response.
I’m behind on day challenges but will catch up, just did day 1. The way you presented the challenge was great, easy to follow with the pause and rewind buttons.
Guess I’m one of many year-long beginners, but can strum rythem fairly good, as I can play most all major chords, bar and main chords.
But that’s it, no finger picking, no lead or solos, I learned the pentatonic scale, but never knew much or played to use it to sound good. So I don’t really play unless I get together with my best friend, and I strum along while he does the fancy stuff and sings…I don’t sing so without him, I’m not much of a player strumming chords by myself.
Been doing this since I turned twenty, I’m now sixty yrs old. So I’m trying to buckle down (retired), and hoping some day I can play and enjoy my favorite music of “blues”. Seen your challenge, and said ok, I’m checking this guy out. I’m pretty excited as your way of teaching makes sense, I’m really gonna try and commit, I got the patience and desire to learn…..so I can eventually and continually apply your teachings to my desire of playing the blues and sounding good, this would bring so much joy and fun to my life…thank you.
Having trouble following
Just all to fast for me.
I am a beginner
Fun. I enjoyed the lesson.
Thank You
Hi Tony
I am 75… a work in progress. I love finger picking. I started at 59. I had conductive hearing loss in my fifties. Had surgery and now have a titanium staples bone plus my hearing aids. I mwant to enjoying music as long as I can hear.
Thank You
Hazel
Lifelong beginner. Never got past strumming cords, which quickly gets boring. I’m not a great summer so i really need some good guitar to carry me ♀️
About to try this first lesson. Having watched the video i am feeling optimistic. It’s a different approach than guitar teachers i have had (that i didn’t stick with ).
Hi Tony
I am 75. Started 12 years ago. Finger picking I love. I had conductive hearing loss in my fifties. Had surgery and now have a titanium staples bone. It was after that I decided to play with sound as long as I can hear at 59. Along with my hearing aids I am enjoying playing
Hey Tony! 30+ year player. I am a touring musician and I would consider myself upper intermediate. I keep 2 guitars by my bed and try to play every day, but I stumbled across your page and thought I’d give the 5-day challenge a shot.
I was more or less playing along with you from the beginning of this first video, but I had fun doing it, and that’s exactly what I’m here for, is the fun I was promised, which is something I find myself chasing more and more often after decades of pickin’.
Looking forward to the next 4 days! Thank you.
I’m finding it to be quite the challenge,being 68 and having just started playing this year. I know the majority of the chords and play daily. I’m truly hoping to be able to complete this challenge.
It was difficult to use fingers 3 & 4 especially on the 6th string. It was easier to use fingers 1 & 2 or to slide into fret 5, but I forced myself to do it as you instructed, believing that you have a plan. Got it down now, sorta.