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.
Does it matter which fingers we use? I feel it’s easier for me to hammer down with my middle finger than ring finger. Ring finger doesn’t get the string to ring out.
Is this course for an absolute beginner? It feels WAY to advanced for where I’m at.
Ok let’s do it
Hi,
I haven’t picked up the guitar in decades and when I last did so, it was to just play chords and not using a pick. I have a Macbook Air and I could not figure out how to show the tablature that was supposed to be in the bottom left hand corner. I could find the speed in the bottom right hand corner. The Macbook Air has no mouse, just a trackpad, if that makes a difference. Please tell me how to display the tabs or I will not be able to continue. Thanks
Hi Tony,
I’m 75, picked up the guitar during covid (I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now 🙂 Been trying to try to teach myself. I’m a forever beginner, or, as you say, a dabbler. I know a bunch of open chords and a few songs, never perfect. I’ve stagnated, want to improve but don’t quite know how; that’s why I’m here. The first technique lesson was tough, but I got through it once, messily. I can’t stretch my 4th finger all the way to the 5th fret; it’s in the middle. And the pads of my fingers on the lower string tend to mute the open next higher one (i.e., E-A ) I’ve become more of a strum and sing guy. I get that your lesson was 10 minutes, but feel that getting it right will take me way more than 10 more. And now there’s something else tomorrow! Thanks.
Hi Tony,
I am returning to guitar. I have been starting to play again for the past few months and have been stuck. I am hoping to learn, re-learn, and expand my skills.
Hi Tony – I am brand new. I am having a issue with my other fingers hitting the strings below. Can my fingers be too short??
hi Tony
64 recent retiree. Owned guitars over 2o years +. stopped playing for about 10 and picked up again this year. Structure and a starting point is what I am looking. I can play a fair amount chords , my transitions are not too bad. I have a decent understanding of the guitar and chords and music in general. I just can’t link them together. I think timing and rhythm can throw me off sometimes, poor strumming.
I’m coming back after trying to learn about 30 years ago. Playing is something I’ve always wanted to do just for myself as a way to relax and unwind.
Hello Tony mark yates here I’m 56 yrs. Old I’m a beginner its been hard just knowing where to begin I’m hoping your course gives me some kind of fast track of knowing what to do next
I am 70. Been dabbling for 6 months. I don’t know basic terminology. Very first lesson it took me a while to know what the term ‘hammer’ means.
Play for two counts – don’t know what that means
Hi Tony, I’m 58 , I’ve been playing for about 3 weeks. I’m doing OK , byt need more direction
I took classical guitar lessons once a week for nearly 2 years and didn’t get anywhere. I don’t know why I went with classical because it was not really what I wanted. Anyway, I gave up in disappointment and frustration. Now, 2 years later I am picking up the guitar and trying again. Despite the previous lessons I am still very much a beginner.
I am 68 and always wanted to learn to play guitar. I am brand new.
Tony,
I’ve been dabbling for a while and feel stuck. I like the small chunk process is great. I struggle with rhythm and hope this will get me going.
Tony,
I’ve been “fooling around” on guitar for decades, mostly just playing lead by ear. My goal is to become a more complete guitarist by improving rhythm playing and hopefully, some finger-style playing. Thanks!
Hi Tony
I’m an older (64) beginner and I’ve been stuck since my wife bought me my guitar 3 years ago. I told her I’m always watered to learn but never tried. Since y guitar I’ve tried in person lessons and a ton of on line lessons, and still stuck. I was able to slow down the video and see where your fingers are. One of my biggest problems is I can’t remember the strings. I know 6,5,4,3,2,1. lol. And low E and high E. But the others I get mixed up. Also The term “measure” I’ll have to look up. Lol. But I like the way you teach. Slow and concise. I’ll still with it for as long as I can. Thank you
I’m 71 years old and this is my first day after being away from guitar for several years. I really wasn’t very good back then, and I really don’t remember much so I feel like an absolute beginner.
This first day was a challenge for me. I kept having to stop the video to try to figure out where my fingers go and to figure out what you were wanting me to do. After about 20 minutes, I think I’ve figured it out; now on to doing this for 10 minutes, but I’ve got to tell you, I’m sure I’ll be doing it longer because I still have trouble reaching the strings with my small hands. Not giving up though.
Completed first week of 30 Days to Play without missing a day. Had a win by playing the blues bassline without looking at the fretboard.
I’m still plucking strings without using the fretboard. I cannot even tell what you’re doing with the left hand, so this is way far advanced from where I’m at.
73 years old. Picking it up again after 50 years. Muffling a lot of strings. This makes sense.
This is a good start for me but I need a little help with the proper finger/hand position so I don’t muffle the bottom string when I pluck it?
32yo, beginner and professional “dabbler”, feeling stuck after starting with a basic methods book. Im excited to learn in a different way! I know the major scale and a few chords, but the transitions still get me!
72+ years old- starting out beginner with a few basic chords under my belt- that’s about it. I don’t know how to read tab and don’t know the fretboard at all. So, lesson one wasn’t terribly satisfying. I’ll keep going though. I could do it, but slowed down quite a bit and it was sloppy.
Hi. Intermediate-ish 58yo player here. Playing consistently a few years but wildly unfocused so hoping to step back and be a bit more methodical.
I am 72yrs old. Taught myself a few chords 40-50 yrs ago. Tried a couple of online lessons and always failed – stagnated. I want to be able to play songs. Make some pleasant sounds from the guitar
Coming back after a long lay off.
Hello Tony , this first exercise is interesting and somewhat difficult to play exactly LOL. Been playing since 1964 , gave it up , took the Berkley guitar course , in 1974 , stopped playing 1976 then picked up an acoustic in 1996 and been making noise off and off since then . I just don’t have the dedication , and now I am having an issue with my thumb. you know the dreaded guitar thumb. . My father played professional his whole life with his own band .. Anyway here I am.
Retired at 62 and want to learn guitar. Have been dabbling so now need to learn. Sounds like a good concept so will give it a shot.
My more common name is Chuck. I’m 74 and have been attempting to play with no regularity all my life. A lifelong struggle with ADHD has interfered with just about everything I’ve attempted to learn. It continues to frustrate and discourage me on the guitar leading me to putting it down for months and sometimes years at a time, but I want to learn! I’m giving this process a try with hopes it can PUMP ME UP!
So far, it’s more comfortable than anything I’ve tried in the past. I’d like to get there before curtain time. LONG LIVE WILLIE NELSON!
The tab uses 4/5 (ring/pinkie), the video uses 3/4 (middle/ring)???
Been playing for decades. Need a restart. Thank you.
Just looked at day one. I was an advanced beginner to intermediate about 15 years ago, stopped playing Now I’m just starting to get back into it so I do have knowledge of chords, open and Barr I know quite a few pieces of songs. Very light on finger, picking, excited to get back into it.
I’m on the road for a month but want to give the system a try when I get back home. Should also make mention that I’m a. Beginner …
Been playing a while just stuck in basic stuff to sing with, looking to be more technical and improve
I’m a beginner level- I’m almost 73 but I’m still here! I know a few chords and beginning to incorporate bar chords. I can play through some simple songs but I need a system to learn. I can’t find out how much this thing costs- where is the price listed? Lots of promo content but what’s the cost?
I just picked up a guitar for the first time last week when I bought it through Marketplace. I’m 54. I think the frets are spaced to far apart for my hands but I’m not giving up on this challenge!
I’ve picked up my guitar about 3 years ago after not playing for a very long time. I’m stuck
I’m a total noob
I am new to the guitar I tried once and failed now nearing retirement I want to try again
I am brand new to guitar, always wanted to learn, I’m turning 64 next month and it’s time I learned
I am a beginner level player. I enjoy fingerpicking and have very little experience with a pick.
I recieved my guitar 10 years ago for Christmas ( I was 43 ), played about 2 months and gave up. I have picked it up 6 weeks ago and am really enjoying it. I have been using the Hal Leonard beginner method book, as well as YouTube. I was excited to hear that Friend of the Devil was the song for this challenge. I struggle with my fingers so far not being able to stretch across the 4 frets completely, but am not discouraged by it. I was able to slowly play through this technique, while challenging it was fun.
I’ve been playing guitar and bass for about forty years, with some breaks/ hiatus in there due to life things. Probably an intermediate player, accompany myself as a singer-songwriter.
Fun lesson, even if I showed up late… day job starts at 6 AM.
Thanks!
I just bought a used guitar on Saturday, so total noob.
I would describe myself as an intermediate player. I guess I’m “stuck” in that I always gravitate to songs I already know, rather than learning new ones. Holds true for both guitar and banjo. I’m hoping this may break me out of that mold.
Hi there! I’m a singer who plays guitar. I actually play in my church worship team and do solo acoustic gigs. Have been for 30 yrs. My playing is “good enough” but I’m looking to get better. I always fall on comfortable playing. I’m looking forward to trying out this program. Thanks!
i did a 30 day jump start, do I start this when that is finished?
I have tried multiple times to learn the guitar, but end up getting stuck and quit. Hoping your courses keep me going. I’m 66 yrs young.
PS 78!