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’m 73 and began fooling around with guitar when I was around 12. It’s been an on again/off again experience learning some chords and playing some songs. I bought a ukulele 5 years ago when I visited Kauai and have enjoyed playing it. Again on again/off again. Thank you for your first lesson. Kudos for starting with the Grateful Dead. I went to my first Dead concert in 1968 and got hooked. Looking forward to an exciting journey with you.
You are saying 454 but the tab goes 455
So… down on the fourth fret of the low e string,
then hammer on the fifth fret of the same string
Then up on the open A string
then down again on the fourth fret of the e string?
That doesn’t jibe with the tabs.
Just started, been dabbling for 2 months and mainly working on getting familiar with the movement around the instrument. Having trouble with the Hammer On technique – I always feel rushed to get there and on to the next note, so basically never hear the hammer. Working and watching the video at 1/2 speed really helped. By the end of my 10min could almost get through it slowly. Still working on not rushing.
Thank you and as always progress not perfection.
Been trying to learn for 2 years and getting nowhere really. I can play some chords and string together a couple songs, but I’m not making the progress I think I should be making
Right, I appolgise for the lengthy post, but I’m off work with a chest infection at the moment, so I had plenty of time to write it 🙂
This evening, after my evening meal, this 54yo will be grabbing my brand new FG800 and rejoining a journey I failed upon decades ago.
I was initially inspired by my brothers playing. He had been playing guitar in his bedroom for years and also gained a University degree in classical guitar while playing in a few local cover bands. I will admit that this inspiration soon bordered on intimidation as I would look on in awe at how effortless he made guitar look againt my clumsey attempts. I suppose I got in the habit of always playing the same old learned riffs and song snipets that I could actually play, this was obviously without any direction and I guess I just stagnated.
Money concens and dwindling enthusiasm eventually saw the majority of my small accumulated cache of dusty instruments sold, to pay for car repairs if I remember rightly. Although, I did keep my first stringed purchase. A five string banjo, which although I don’t play more than a few rolls and chords, I found I couldn’t part with it. I still aspire to learn it but not so easy to find tutors here in the UK. If the guitar online lessons work for me, maybe this is a route I’ll go down with the banjo in the future.
The guitar ‘itch’ stayed with me though, and on more than one occasion I almost pulled the trigger on a guitar, so it was in my possession for when I had the time to properly learn. Time wasn’t to be on my side for a while..
Following the loss of our youngest of three sons to cancer, I decided to retrain from an engineer to a nurse. This gave me the purpose and direction I needed at a challenging time and allowed me to give a little back for the amazing care we received as a family. Obviously, this meant a few years of college and university and most of my free time, so hobbies took a backfoot.
Fast forward a few years and I am now fortunate to have a little time to myself, a heated workshop/man space down the garden where I can play. I also have a lovely new Yamaha acoustic and a hankering to learn a few tunes that I can serenade my wife with while sat around the campfire on trips.. wish me luck.
By looking at the tab sheet how would i know to do the up motion in this pattern?
Hello! I started guitar the last week of December 2025. I decided to take advantage of a couple of things. My boss gave me a good end of year bonus and a week off for the holidays. I went to my local music shop and bought an electric guitar, amp, stand, and strap. I used the time to start my YouTube guitar playlist where I found your videos. Thank you for giving me something to practice!
I’m a complete beginner. I’ve tried other instruments in the past in middle school and high school. I really like guitar so far. I have been practicing riffs while singing. I really like to sing. Let me know if you have any tips for that!
Hey I didn’t see where the tab was for the first lesson but I can back the video up to under the progression sorry for the late response my whole family came down with Flu A virus
Been playing SIMPLY Guitar for 2 years. It has been a lot of fun and I have learned a lot from the rolling tab but I need to break free from it a bit and be able to play more on my own. Have learned a lot of great Cowboy chords and feel fairly confident in strumming to a “rolling” song. Feel like I have stopped progressing even though I play something every week.
New to guitar. Felt lost due to finger placement on 4th fret
I have been trying for years but seem to be stuck. I know some chords, I guess I would say I need direction
HI Tony, I am a NEW player. I did not know the name of the strings so I got a book and now have the string names and a chord sheet. I found this challenge very hard I had to break it down by writing out things. First I wrote out and picked the strings and then I did the same for the frets and then I put them together. It took me 20 min or longer for 6 sittings. Tomorrow I am going to challenge 2. I am way behind all your emails but I need to go my pace. I did purchase your program I just hope my slow learning will still work out with the program. Eileen (66 yrs)
This is helpful. I am not fast yet and my fingers feel chubby on the neck. I am a beginner so I’m trying to just enjoy the experience and show up every day. Thank you.
Tony, I am 76. I have dabbled at guitar for sixty years, picked it up, put it away, learned a few chords, picked up a few rhythms, but never learned enough to have enough fun to keep me going. I struggled in this lesson with when to strum down and when to strum up. The left hand knows what to do for the lesson, but the right hand seems to think it is in some other place. By the time I repeated it for over thirty minutes, I was beginning to improve. I played a sousaphone in band in high school and did well at that, but only one hand had to know what to do.
I am starting from scratch
I’m 53 and a beginner. I’ve never really played any instrument. Somehow my son inherited an incredible girt for music and at 17 he’s an accomplished bass, electric and acoustic guitar player. I feel like I’ve really missed an opportunity to connect with him through playing. We love the same music genre’s but I really want to play along with him some day. Its a dream of mine to sit and drive through some Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Smashing Pumpkins (all of which he plays daily).
Served about 8 months ago. Trying to get a handle on this guitar plan. I’d like to play guitar. Tried a few different programs.
57 and started dabbling back in the early 90’s… dabbled on and off for the last 35yrs without learning anything new but managed to buy 4 guitars in the process… I’m practicing on a beautiful Martin Acoustic so no excuses!
So far, so good. It looked confusing at the start but after a short while and then 30 mins of practice I’m almost there. The Learn/Play tabs weren’t obvious at the start as I had you full screen, but went back to normal web-view and spotted them and also found the tabs. Practising whilst only listening to you play slowly really helped. Looking forward to tomorrow… with thanks
I had 1to1 lessons for about 6 months and gave up feeling very disheartened. I have had to replay the video many many times, in order for me to work out what i should actually be doing, but its great to have the facility to do that. I’m not what you would call computer literate either, so I’m learning on two fronts.
Hi Tony,
I’m 75 and have never played an instrument in my life! I live in MT and my daughter is getting married this coming October. Her name is Julia so for the “Father’s reception speech” I have decide to challenge myself to learning the Beatles song “Julia”. I started this last September and bought an inexpensive guitar and started to learn the Travis picking pattern. I also started taking weekly lessons through a local music store. He is only helping me learn the song, not your typical “learn guitar” lessons. I have very stubby fingers and have had difficulty getting clear string sounds without part of my finger hitting the string below. This seemed to be the frustrating thing about today’s lesson as well !! My win was the hammer came easy but the timing of the rest of the measure was off, but it’s coming. Yes, I’m struggling with not wanting it to be perfect but will trust in you and the program and get past that!
To make this conclude, I’m interested in being a guitar player and not a dabbler, so am looking forward to the rest of the week.
I believe I am going to be one of your failures. I am a true beginner. I must not be holding my left hand correctly on the guitar neck because I cannot hold one string down without contacting the string below it. In order to make it even a little possible, I have to place my hand in such a position, I start to have pain in my wrist. Also, I find myself pushing so hard on the strings that my fingertips get indents from the strings and will begin to hurt in just a few minutes. I’m sure I am holding it incorrectly, but if I can’t fix that, I think going any further is useless. Do you have any lessons on the correct way to hold the guitar?
61 playing since I was 16. Classical piano training but all I ever really wanted to play was guitar and am self taught. Been playing every since. I relate to not progressing very far as I played piano, trumpet, guitar and bass and when I hit a plateau that required more work, I would move on to a different instrument. I have been playing for about an hour daily for the last year so I am seeing some progress but I want to finally get some guitar lessons. I see all the guitar courses on FB daily and yours hit home. Teach me.
I, too, have been “playing at” guitar for several years and ready to get serious. Unfortunately, I was not able to open the “Play” video.
This is very difficult when your screen is two inches wide and one inch tall!
I have been trying to learn to play the acoustic guitar for about 8 years now. I have not been able to get past the beginner level. I have not been able to master any real skills. I am probably unlike other learners in that I actually love to practice playing. I play daily even sometimes till my fingers hurt. My problem is mostly frustration. I look at the videos of some of your students. They all seem to be able to make that stretch across 4 frets and can also do bar chords. Even 3 fret stretches are very hard for me (eg. the basic C major chord). I have watched this morning’s video already. I am feeling very confident in your teaching style and even more confident in your method. I am very excited about maybe joining but have many questions about the program. . How can I get my questions answered?
Thank you Tony for taking the time to put this tutorial together and I apprciate it. I am 70 and am looking forward to the progress I will be able to make from your videos after not using a guitar for several decades, so I am at the beginning stage of really starting over.
I have always wanted to learn to play guitar. When I was 9 years old my parents bought me a small learner guitar and enrolled me in guitar lessons. I don’t actually remember why I didn’t progress then, but I have revisited this desire to learn to play guitar again and again throughout my 73 years. I began again in earnest 3 years ago with a Classical guitar this time and I was loving it all through my first ‘method’ book. Then when I began the second method book things got a little harder and I became stuck. I stopped practicing everyday and even had to quit for about 3 months due to an injured hand. I really lost my momentum and I’ve been very bored with the whole thing, since I wasn’t making any progress. I am hoping this challenge will help get me back on track, but it feels very, very fast to me. I will try, though!
You lost me by talking way too much about what you will be doing instead of doing it. I got bored right away.
Ok, I’m new and literally started today instead of Monday. I am behind the curve. I seem to be out of tune when i get to the G string doing the 4th fret to 5th fret, the note is not the same note. But, I re-watched the learn video and realized I missed that little change. Now everything is working just fine. My fingers hurt and I had to stop. See you tomorrow. I’m enjoying this process and can’t wait for the next step.
I have started learning guitar several times over the last few years. Unfortunately I lose interest because of my lack of progress. So I stop for months or years and then start over. And get stuck again. Hopefully TAC will get me much further along this time. I am 68 so I feel I don’t have many ‘start over’ moments left!
I’ve felt stuck for so many years. I’ve been learning to play since late 1998, and I’ll pick it up, make some progress, and then hit the same wall every time. I really wish I could figure out how to push past that feeling of being stuck.
Played guitar for a brief period when I was around 13 or so, and always hoped to someday pick it up again and finally “get good” at it. After 50 years of air guitar, I’m finally trying again with an actual guitar at 62. I thought I’d be an outlier starting up again so late, but I’m amazed to find so many older “beginners” in the same boat. The separate “Learn” and “Play” videos have been a huge help today, thanks!
Started playing bass guitar in my late sixties. Mostley fretless playing in big band, blugrass and country music bands. Now at 77, I want to play songs on this six string just for my own enjoyment. Kind of a sit on the porch and play thing.
On the day one session you explained how to see the exercise on a “tab” as well as you on the video. When I click on that box the screen splits with the video in one screen and the other is blank. Sure would like to experience seeing the “tab”. Love it so far!
Hi Tony, I am 67 years old. I haven’t played guitar in 40 years. I had barely picked it up then. Life changes caused me to give it up. 3 marriages, 4 children and 6 grandchildren later. Here I am. I have watched many YouTube videos and struggled with the process. Your lessons are concise and positive. I like the plan and the information. I enjoyed lesson #1.
So I had a couple challenges
1. hitting the hammer on on the low E string. It’s a bit of a stretch for me and getting the sweet spot is going to take some practice.
2. Remembering the hammer on is an off beat and not strumed (either up or down).
3. Hitting the right string on the up strum on beats 2 and 4. If I’m not paying attention I find myself up strumming the same string I just played.
Great lesson it offers a lot of challenges without being overwhelming.
Btw Im as old as everyone else posting 73
46 years old. I’ve been using another guitar app for 5 weeks. I saw Tony’s video and thought I would give it a try. I picked up a guitar when I was in my 20s and tried going through a book, but didn’t stick with it. I still don’t get the up and down strokes, but can get the notes sounding right. Sticking with this, though, in addition to the other app.
I’m 61 and am having trouble with the “hammer” and getting a sound with the ring finger.
Been dabbling for a few years, can play worship songs when I can strum. No experience with picking.
Look forward to the process
I am brand new, and have absolutely no idea what this was today. I had no wins. Maybe this is geared toward those that are not brand new.
I was frustrated, but did actually get a win! Thanks for the video. I will keep trying!
Tony,
I am 72 year old second year beginner. I’ve had to lay off for two months following shoulder surgery. Today’s lesson presented a challenge with hammer on technique as I have not done that before. Found it difficult to hit the string hard enough to produce full sound.
Thanks.
I have dabbled at guitar for 60 years.
I even started your course but money became an issue. I’m back
How do I back up and start the course completely from scratch?
I took guitar last year for about 5 months. Then we moved away. I put the guitar down for a year. I barely remember anything. I am hungry to learn. At 60 I am learning slower but I am learning and that is the important thing!
I am 45 and have “dabbled” and attempted to learn before, but never stuck with it out of frustration and available time. Today was a great lesson! I slowed down the video and got the technique down and practiced until I got a cleaner sound and found some small wins. Like others, my fingers want to hit the strings below, but some adjustments helped. Excited for tomorrow. Thanks!
I am stuck in a rut. Need to learn how to hammer on etc.
Hi Tony.
Stevie from Scotland here. I have played before but never used a plectrum. I always play just using my thump. I am finding it very strange
trying to play with a plectrum. Also i play tabs all the time i do not play chords but i guess if i like your style of teaching that is going to change. A bit about myself. I am 67 this month. I did play before in my early teens but the person that was teaching me gave me songs like Danny boy. I found the songs boring so i did not practice. I decided to start playing again but only tabs [back in the day we called tabs
SO FA.] I am a member of the app Ultimate Guitar but i just use this app for the tab music plus you get backing tracks as well. This will give you a bit of my guitar history. When i think about guitar lessons it was over 50 years ago a life time. Hope this gives you some insight.
Cheers Stevie.
Iam 68 years old Iam pretty well a beginner I am retired I wanted to learn guitar all my life. Nice start with this first lesson.
I am 74, brand new student just wishing to learn how to play, from Canada
Almost 62 and have never picked up a guitar! I now have the time to practice daily!
brand new… beginning not easy to pick up on picking and fret placement. tabs helped later but found this difficult and frustrating