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.
Alright, great first lesson! I’m ready for Day 2! Keep ’em coming! 🙂
Been playing classical at early intermediate level for years.Branched out to fingerstyle in the last year but enjoy blues, good country, rock and wish I could play even a basic bossa nova tune!
I am a total beginner. My fingers always feel to short to hit the notes ad wasn’t sure I could do it. I was able to get through today’s challenge – not at all perfect but doing it slowly I was able to play along and get the feel for it. Excited to practice and learn more.
Started with a soprano ukulele group. Heard them playing as I walked in one day and realized I really didn’t enjoy ukulele music. I changed to a baritone uke and I like that much better. Now, 5 years down the road, I’m going to stretch and try the guitar. Wish me luck.
Ukulele has been my main focus, but after years of friends jokingly encouraging me to play a “real” instrument, my interest is turning to guitar. I am excited to get started with your techniques and build my skills!
Hiya Tony,
Thanks for the introductory lesson today. Your clear and precise presentation has given me a deceptively simple picking and fingering exercise that I can play as a warm up every time I grab my guitar.
My Story: I have been playing guitar for over 50 years. In that time my attitude has evolved from, “Damn, I will never learn how to play.” Through, “I know it all, I can play anything I want.” Now I have swallowed my hubris and have comfortably settled into, “I can always try new things and be surprised what I am learning.”
In the past I have focused playing fingerstyle on my nylon string guitar. Flatpicking on a steel strung guitar is my next great musical exploration. Thanks for being here as an knowledgeable and inspirational guide.
Fair winds,
Carl
Harder than it seems definitely took some time to get full speed. Fingers did it want to do it at first and using a pick for the first time as well. However still pretty fun!
Since about fourth grade I’ve wanted to play guitar – rock or pop. My parents signed me up for classical lessons… not what I wanted. But they said try it and we’ll get you other lessons later. I took those lessons for a couple years but my heart wasn’t in it. Held onto my guitar through high school, plucking it occasionally. It wasn’t until my twenties that I started to appreciate it and purchased a nicer classical guitar. By then I had a family and not much time to practice and had forgotten most of what I knew, sold my guitar. Now at 50, I bought a cheap one and have time to put into it. I want to play popular songs, not classical, and for the enjoyment. Never used a pick before, so that’s new. Got delayed in starting this and just finished the first session. You can get overwhelmed by the tutorials available, not knowing which is best. Your approach seems solid and your years of experience give confidence.
I planned to start on day one but unfortunately ended up in the ER for 5 hours and won’t be able to play for a little while.
Still, watching the videos and getting it in my mind and after just the day 1 lesson, I can tell it’s a fantastic way to progress with my playing abilities!!
I’m, I guess you could say what you called a lifelong beginner, lol, played pretty seriously from about ’99-’05, then life got in the way, then every couple years after that I would get back into it seriously again and so on and so on.
Anyway, I can tell already that I love your teaching style and method and seriously believe this is going to keep me focused and inspired!! In my 60s now, unfortunately disabled now, but going to take that as a big plus because I’ll have an incredible day today much more time to focus on playing!!
Completely self taught, learned how to read tab, went from there, but I have a fantastic feeling things are about to change for me after some guidance from you!! Thank you so much Tony!
I’m used to fingerpicking (pima) and never used a pick but I have some. It would be helpful for me to see a close up of how you hold the pick and provide an explanation of best technique.
I went back to
Try again before starting day 2. Not getting it yet. Need to
Keep trying to do day 1. Frustrated
Me too!
Hi i don’t use a pick. I play with my fingers is it still possible to do exercises. Also the strength and dexterity in my 2nd and 3rd fingers isn’t great for hammering on pulling off any tips or will first exercise help with that? thanks
Was learning at a good clip but was having some difficulties at 56 years old, but then I got cancer at 57.
I stopped playing. Had to go through chemo and radiation. Did tons of therapy over the last 3 years, lost a lot of my memories from chemo (Chemo Brain).
I started to doing coding again to help with my memory and I was able to pick that back up after a while of learning to code again and to a certain extent, I started to regain some of memories again.
So, I thought about trying to relearn how to play the guitar again, since I have a Fender Telecaster sitting in the home not being used, but I’m really struggling to remember stuff and where to place my fingers again. I tried a couple of courses, but still struggling. For some reason, I was able to remember how to play Happy Birthday and some parts of the Spangled Banner.
playing the guitar is something I always wanted to do. Now that I am retired I think I better get it done.
could not find the tab or other boxes below
Just started playing the guitar 2 mths ago. Had to play at .5 speed and take notes to get the pattern of the down and up strokes, and then practice over and over again. Not quite such a quick lesson for me, but I enjoyed the learning process and will practice more before starting day 2 of the challenge.
Played Guitar when I was a young man. I was never good, but I enjoyed it.
Now I’m retiring at 64 and need some new hobbies. bought the Martin SC-13E after seeing your video about it. Now I feel like a kid again.
Love this way of learning. Thank you
I’m a beginner. Never played or tried before
Came back to guitar 5 years ago after severe depression, my therapist recommended getting into something that would stimulate my brain and still be enjoyable. I went to a guitar store bought a Tele and have been struggling to get past that knowing chords and theory but not where to go with it stage.
Played trombone in school and college. Joined the Navy and was a submarine Sailor for 22 years. Sang in many choruses and 2 different opera companies. Moved to the mountains of North Carolina where seemingly everyone is a musician, Two friends of mine, after hearing me sing, said I needed to learn the guitar. I’m 68 and have been playing and writing songs for the past 2 years.
I’m a life long beginner. 83 years old
I’m excited to see where this takes me. Love the approach to learning that you’re using. As a “life long beginner” I’m hoping I can get past the hurdles that stopped me in my previous attempts.
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.