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 am 75 and I have been learning for about 3 years and never play with a pick. I am hoping this challenge will help me get over my dislike of using a pick. I am limiting my playing abilities.
Hello Tony. Yes I am a life longer beginner. I first started playing guitar while serving in the Air Force overseas. A one year remote tour was a long long time away from my wife and children. I found this little local shop and bought a guitar. Took a few beginner lessons. Guitar was able to fill my loneliness bringing such joy and warmth to my life. After returning back home life and career took over and my playing guitar was put on the back burner. Now and then I would start playing again with the same events repeating. Then I was injured that ultimately ended my loved Air Force career and changed my whole world. Hardships, divorce and losing most of my eye sight was the nail that sealed my dreams of ever playing guitar. So I thought. I met my Shannon. We married and she has changed my world. More than I could ever image or hope for. Two years ago I found this program called Guitars for Vets. I signed up and waited over a year to get into the program. This program brought playing guitars back into my life a reality. I can say the passion is alive and well with this guitar in my hand and my wife beside me. Playing guitar is healing my life long wounds. I graduated just a few months ago and I have volunteered to help coordinate the Guitars for Vets program at my local veterans chapter. I have started training so I can help fellow veterans find the healing power of music. I am trying to move from life long beginner guitar player to one day teaching others this joy and passion. Tony, thank you for being a supporter of Guitar for Vets.
I’ve trying to play for years since high school. Never took. Was never consistent. Now that I am retired I am trying again. Hopefully things will work. FOD is appropriate for me as I have been listening to the Dead since high school. Looking forward to more.
Thanks
I feel like one of those extended beginner’s, even though I’ve been playing for 30 years. I was in a band in high school, but none since. I play electric and acoustic, but mainly acoustic now. My dad’s passing got me really motivated to get better and buying a Martin guitar certainly heped with that. I want to learn music development, how to play with others, and how to play lead on acoustic.
Bought first guitar 40 years ago and messed around with a couple lessons but never learned anything substantial. I moved to Nashville to enjoy the singer songwriter world and got inspired again watching others do what i could only dream of. I’ve no vision of being a musician but I do enjoy myself learning a little more about the instrument every time I sit down to entertain myself. At 73 and semi retired from fitness industry I find the learning part good for the BRAIN!
the TAB sheet is not “Friend of the Devil” it is Set out Runnin”
Liked this 1st exercise.
I had a stroke two months ago and thought I’d never play again. Got brave enough to pick my guitar up. It’s pretty bad but taking your challenge to help with my rehab and to be able to play again.
Started during COVID. My son gifted my husband a guitar 15 years prior and no one had touched it. I thought someone should play it or we should re home it. I picked it up and haven’t stopped since. Taught myself with online tutorials and occasional input from my son. I currently play with two local guitar circles, but feel a little stuck with my progress.
I start on Monday, today is Saturday. I have worked on this every day and am just starting to get the feel of what it is suppose to sound like. I have a lot of difficulty taking the short video and getting a mental picture. I started loosing the ability to retain 3 D direction and placement requiring many times of backing up to get one note at a time to muscle memory so I could “feel” it, not just remember it. For me it would be very helpful to present each note/action very slowly so I could find it as it was being taught, like a live instructor guiding me through each action.
Bought my first guitar when I was about 50 years old. I’m now 66. I would practice like a madman for around 2 months then not play at all for 10 months. So far not much beyond a few open chords and struggling to hit clean barr chords. Decided a few months ago to try and stick with it. That’s what appealed to me about Tony’s system was a new strategy to keep going. I liked day 1 but day 2’s lesson showed up and so did some company! Have to play catch up tomorrow.
Cannot see the tabs? They don’t appear at all.
Yeah….I can’t seem to do this in only 10 minutes. Been trying to self learn for a couple years. I’ll have to write down the strumming pattern and finger placements. More like an hour to get basic skill.
I’m so sick this week. Will I have access to these videos if I wait a few days?
Hi Denise! You should be able to refer back to your Emails to continue with the Challenge. Get better soon!
Very well explained. Thank you!
I played a lot in high school. Only played with other musicians a few times, and it was mostly improvising. Then had kids , and life just kind of got in the way. When I pick it up now, I find that I’m stuck noodling around with bits and pieces of riffs and Melody’s.
Your video won’t let me slow it down so I can try to play with you. It displays faster speeds only.
Hi Jerry, Please reach out to TAC Support. They will have some suggestions to offer for this. support@tonypolecastro.com
Tony, thanks for the great start to the 5 day challenge. I am 69 years young and started playing guitar when I was 16 on a Sears special through a community education class that was strumming old folk songs. Quit when I went to college, picked it back up when I was 30 and took 5 years of practice at a guitar shop. I got married shortly after I started and then kids came along etc. So I didn’t practice much and never really progressed. Put it down at age 35 and picked it back up again about 2 years ago. Permanent beginner! I have learned songs on the internet from Marty, Justin and others and can read tabs, but have never really gotten much better. Looking forward to learning more and trying out your “mini-TAC” this week!
Tony— just picking up guitar again after a long hiatus— looking forward to the 5 day challenge and hoping for a kick start back into making music
I’m more of a lifelong intermediate. I actually fronted a band not that horribly long ago but my vocals were#1 and my playing was…well…within my comfort zone. Mostly rhythm.
Sore fingers
Hi Tony, I’m getting back into guitar after a hiatus of about 15 years. It seems like a long time and I can’t help but think I’m rusty. Your five day challenge seems like a good way to begin again.
I’ve played piano for decades, but at age 61 I am finally learning to play the guitar. I have played church music, small-group & big-band jazz, and I love to break out my big, fat, classical piano books that I’ve accumulated over the years. I also played the balalaika many years ago. Right now, I’m feeling a lifetime of music spilling out as I find the notes and chords on the guitar. It’s amazingly fun, but I don’t really know what I’m doing yet, in a “learn this to make progress” sort of way. I’ve been having a blast just picking out some tunes and scales and chord progressions, and from what you say, this might actually a way to learn to play! I’m looking forward to all you have to show me. Thank you!
Lifelong beginner here! Started in high school in a rock band and have been dabbling ever since. Now I’m 67 . I like this first lesson, basic but challenging
To much on strumming need to find and learn finger placements
Congratulations to anyone who can finish this first challenge in 10 minutes. The video is over ten minute.
I only played for 15 minutes, but still could not match the strokes in the video.
Don’t give up. Just keep trying. You will get better and you will be happy you stuck with it
Same here..no focus on cords and finger placements
Hi Tony, I started playing in 1977 at 9 years old, plunking out Twinkle Twinkle on my mom’s old classical guitar. It was upside-down and backwards on my lap, and mom quickly got me sorted out! She taught me Logger Lover, and how to read chord charts. I’ve been playing campfires and singalongs since the age of 12. I’m finally taking song-writing classes and now I want to figure out lead guitar and improvisation. I’m 57 and ready to set aside the time to do the work. I’ve seen your ads on FB for a year or so now, and when I met you at Blue Ox this summer (I sat in on your talk with Matt and Charlie – thanks for wrangling them!), I decided to try your classes!
This simple but tricky exercise has made me realise how weak my ring finger is for fretting or hammering.
Lifelong beginner.
im am 64 and just finished 6 months of chemo. i always wanted to learn guitar. so my bucket list i way overpaid for a fancy guitar and am trying to learn., Hope this helps
Hi Tony,
Very interested in you ten minute method, 708r first lecture is 10 minutes long. So, I am guessing. actually need 20 minutes to complete this lesson. I have nylon string classical guitars, and no pick. Will all of your lessons involve using a pick>
Where are the other free lessons?
I’ve been a beginner for about 15 years. I bought some DVS’s and took a few structured guitar lessons at a local music store. At the time I basically had two careers going, a city government job and a part time job in the Air National Guard. Life got in the way and I didn’t play much. About 7 months ago I started playing a little each night. I’m 68 now and I just retired two weeks ago so now I’ve got more time. Tony’s Challenge sounded like something that might hold my interest. We’ll see. Thanks for making it available.
Hi Tony. Thanks for the very good instruction on use of flat pick and hammer-ons. I have been playing off and on for most of my life, but have now developed a tremor in my right forearm and hand. So I tend to finger pick more than flat pick. I think these exercises will help me gain better control of the right hand. Can you please clarify when you set your baby finger of the right picking hand onto the face of the guitar, and when you don’t?
took up guitar age 60; 15 year beginner, maybe advanced beginner – courses-1 year of lessons- open chord songs mostly, some blues, but want to take it to next level. Looks good so far- thanks!!!
I have been a beginner for almost 60 years! No formal training. No strumming technique. No picking technique. No patience. Probably a good dose of fear. No time (almost fully retired so that excuse has evaporated). Here we go. Just started day 1 of 5 (received them all a couple of days ago)
Thanks
I’m a lifelong beginner. I got started when my youngest son, now 26, was 13 and wanted an electric guitar for his birthday. He took to it like a fish to water.
For Christmas that year, he asked for an acoustic guitar so he could play while traveling around. I thought it was cool, and I bought an acoustic for myself.
I can play chords, but I just can’t make it sound musical. It could be that I’m an accountant and just too rigid to let things flow.
I started playing in high school, self-taught. I took lessons briefly which helped quite a bit. I’m in a folk duo now and a songwriter, and my partner on bass plays most of the solos because I’m not good at it; it makes me nervous! I would like to get better at that so I can play them. Thanks!
I found a guitar in my grandmothers basement when I was 5 and 30 years later taught myself how to play a Segovia piece. That was it. Now that I have retired (63) I decided I wanted to learn how to play guitar. I researched then purchased an Orangewood acoustic/electric and have tried some other youtube videos and decided to give this a try.
I’m a beginner and dabbler. Definitely need a plan. I found the hammer on’s hard. Don’t really hear a sound when doing them. Guess I gotta hammer harder.
Story time!
I’m actually a celtic harpist that twiddles on guitar.
Normally I write most of my stuff on electric harp with a few basic songs on guitar to shake things up. Ever since I moved I haven’t been able to pick up the harp and have shifted to the guitar almost exclusively. I’ve hit a plateau though. I feel like I’m missing a trick. It’s like that feeling when a word you’re mentally searching for is at the tip of your tongue; the guitar technique I’m looking for is just at the edge of my fingertips. So I’m looking for the “key” to use in writing fuller, more organic feeling songs.
This is a time for me to understand pick work and strumming so that my timing is making sense. I have played the violin and banjo for fun but not as a public event. It is time that I have a mastery of my knowledge and you are already making sense of it for me in ways that cross the boundaries of all the music i listen to.
Thanks, coming here late but enjoying what you have said so far. I have been playing since I was a teenager but always got stuck, so here I am at 64 and with more time to find the joy!
I’ve been trying for seven years and don’t know if if gotten any better!! I have clubbed fingers which makes it difficult to get a clear strum (finger on string above hits sting below. Also find it hard to have guitar tucked in feels like it’s right in the armpit! Anyway going to keep trying
Another life long beginner, Its the 3rd day and I almost have the first day down but I’m going stick with it. fingers are hurting, haven’t played for a year or so
I’ve always wanted to learn and have attempted many, many times over the years. When I retired from work – 6 1/2 ears ago – I figured why not now. But, after trying for 6 1/2 years (probably more since I tried taking some classes before then), taking private lessons, group lessons, etc, I am still unable to play a song comfortably. I’m not sure what to practice or even how to practice properly. I’m still looking for that structure, that direction. I like playing and I want to continue.
The flesh of my fingers is muting this strings right below no matter how much I curl my fingers.
After learning a few foundational elements, I can mess arounds and get some satisfaction out of the noises I can make. However I’m at point where I need clear direction and purpose. I’m hoping to find it here. I like to geek-out on the small wins. I like the feel of the strings under my fingers. I love how the first time you learn something, it feels impossible. Then a short while later you have hope, and then a short while after that you can play through it. I get the addiction, but I need direction guidance. I’m looking forward to the lessons this week!
‘Thanks. This looks fun and you have chosen a great first song.
I am an advanced beginner, a little bogged down with scales and some basic theory. I want to learn songs now, since playing music is the whole point!
I’m definitely a life long beginner. I’m 67 and have played guitar (not a guitar player) since I was 9 years old living in Thailand and hearing a neighbor play Ruby Tuesday by the Stones. I have tried to advance on my own and end up putting my guitar away for months at a time when it seems I can’t move to the next level. I don’t read music, can’t really understand and play to tabs, but I’m fairly decent with basic (and some barre) chords. I’m retired now and want to see if I can get my old self to that next level.
I don’t feel like I’m the cliche 55-year-old man learning guitar for the first time but I probably still am. 30-days ago, I challenged myself to work on 6 habits for 10 minutes per day. I call it the 6×10 Habits Experiment and it included learning guitar and shooting a short video daily for YT and TT. I started playing guitar daily last year for 2 months. I fell out of the habit for a year and am starting again so I’ve been at it for 1 month for about 10-15 minutes of practice per day. I simply love that I can actually make pleasant sounds! I don’t have any big goals… just to keep learning and growing. I thought this 5-day challenge would be fun and has a low barrier to entry. Thanks Tony!