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.
Off and on for a year and a half. Discipline issue. Also doing voice.
Trouble with pattern reading what strings you are picking.
Been taking lessons 2 years. Doing pretty good but thought id try this just for something different. Im 64 yrs old
Mostly I’ve been stuck as I’m in the “I have to get it perfect before I move on” category. Really appreciate your approach by building on the small wins. Having a bit of a problem with a clean hammer on but everything else went along well. Thanks!
Cannot access day 2 and 3!!!
i cannot access days 2 and 3… there is no video link… only the side panel with no clickable link
Hey Toni, thank you for what you do. My name is Ron Lehman. I’m a lawyer in Tucson, Arizona 75 years old. I’ve been dabbling in Guitar for many years and think your technique is going to work for me. I’ve had the honor of representing musicians in my Legal career, including Toots, Hibbert from Toots and the Maytals. I wanted to share with you how I got to you. I recently got diagnosed with high risk prostate cancer. Among other therapies, next week I’ll be starting nine weeks five days a week of radiation therapy. I decided this was a good time to step up my guitar playing and started a Google search. I was inundated with dozens of offers from different people your vibe and pitch stuck with me. I mentioned to a buddy that I was going to focus on improving my guitar technique. My wife and I went off for a couple weeks in Alaska to celebrate our 42nd anniversary and when I came home, there was a brand new Martin D 17 at the house. You gotta love your friends!
So I tried to start less than one right now, but every time I hit the start lesson one it goes to your overview when you teach the friend of the devil riff. Probably because I’m a digital immigrant. I may be doing something wrong, but I was hoping you could steer me in the right direction. My intention is to buy the program after I finish the five day course. Thanks again for what you do for the universe. I am also fortunate and that I am general counsel for The Sun Company, a renewable energy company that’s will accelerate and democratized the mass adoption of renewable energy so we both love what we do!
I’m coming from years of “having” guitars but don’t know how to play them very well. Know basic chords but never seem to be able to learn and get through full songs. It’s probably a combination of poor mechanics and getting overwhelmed or frustrated which leads to putting the guitar down for months at a time. I made it through today’s challenge. Couple notes for me; I need to build my calluses back up, I didn’t realize that my finger pain would be there for this exercise, this will come I know. Secondly, I think I had more trouble with the higher strings than the lower ones, especially moving from G-B to B-E. I listened and played through it probably 15-20 times before I got through it error-free on all strings. See you tomorrow, thank you.
I’ve been stuck. Afraid to keep making mistakes so I get frustrated. Today, while attempting the challenge, like usual, I wasn’t getting ‘clean’ notes – my fingers kept getting in the way.
I’ve started into lessons a few dozen times before. At one point I was actually making good progress for several months until my wife had a meltdown one day about how tired she was of listening to me play the same notes over and over again, at which point I didn’t pick up the guitar again for two years. Sadly, my wife in now deceased so that will no longer be a problem. My biggest problem right now is my fat a$$ fingers, particularly my ring finger. Either I am not fretting the hammer on cleanly and it sounds like CRAP. Or I hit the hammer on clean and the next string over is muted. If I had a joint halfway between my elbow and my wrist I might be able to turn my palm over far enough get it right 50% of the time.
60 year old who has tried using internet videos and gets stuck and bored. I can play most chords, but transitions and strumming patterns are not there. The tablature was actually below the video on an iPhone
I was able to do lesson one after slowing it down to .5. I have some difficulties with strumming direction, and I need to build calluses. Also, my index finger (on the fret hand) wants to stick straight out and I’m focusing on pulling it in to a more relaxed position. I am picking up guitar after 36 years of taking lessons for about 9 months and then putting it down. I was unable back then to build momentum to keep going.
Hello Sir, my problem is I watched too much u-tube I am stuck and cannot get the chords to match up with the words. I have this guitar for many years. I could never play it. I am determined this time I’m going to. I’ve been practicing for about four months. Fingers are sore as hell still can’t get the callous, but again I am 71 years old and determined you have an awesome day. We’ll keep watching and practicing. Thanks for your time and patience. Bob
Good morning. I have picked up the guitar many times over the years but I would quickly get bored and put it away for a long time. I think this is because I have never found a good instructional way to learn the guitar. I have been watching many of your videos and really like what I see. Can’t wait to get going with TAC. I especially appreciate the way you combine techniques with real live songs. I can see that progress is constantly being made, and this keeps one motivated and excited about learning the guitar. Thanks very much.
Hi there,
I’m completely new to the guitar and this is my first go at this.
Once i have given this a proper go i will report back to let you know how well i have done .
I do have one problem when using my fingers on the fretboard i hit more then one string.
Is this coz my fingers have not hardened up yet.
Hey there, i had a busy week in the beginning of the week but i still practiced everyday but i didn’t feel like starting the new techniques until today.
i started really trying to learn guitar maybe 10 months ago. i learned a few little tabs or things from friends and have been practicing those things for a while but im at my first plateau i believe.
i tend to learn a song get the first part of it sort of down but then kinda stop progressing. ive been practicing what i can do as consistently as i can but yeah i feel like im kinda stuck so im excited for this 5 day course thank you!
Well…finally getting it ..the whole progression..slow but getting faster and better .at first had buzz from finger placement I think..also think im pushing to hard. My finger tips hurting now.. not a usual problem so fast. Thinking to much…i need to relax..
Been playing about 4 years, still no good other than usual 1 or 2 riffs I learned …Alice and Chains Nutshell, and Simple Man .. stuck for sure.. have many guitars (electric and acoustic) wish I could play them.. im tryin…
This is my first time trying to play the guitar. I appreciate the ability to slow down the play portion of this practice.
I tried to get clear sounding notes and some were good and some were not so good. It’s OK it’s a good start.
Thanks for the tabs. That seems to help. I sing in a church choir, so when I hear the notes played I can follow along on the musical notes. Thanks! Try again tomorrow.
Hi Tony,
Brand new to guitar! 30 plus years ago I played piano so at least the notes don’t scare me. Struggled with getting the rhythm but I’ve got that now just trying to get clear sounding notes. Silly fingers>
Hi Tony,
I’ve been playing for some years now and have many basics under control, but I’m looking to achieve the next level. I have carpal tunnel in my left hand which makes many finger positions difficult and sometimes I can’t really feel as much in my finger tips as I need to.
I struggled with the hand position for the hammer on, especially on the lower strings. And then I had to remove my third finger to get the open string to play cleanly. The picking part was easy for me. The chord fingering was tricky with the hammer on.
really enjoyed first session Tony – I have only ever been able to play a few basic chords but this session was out of my comfort zone but got to 2x speed without many bum notes 🙂 look forward to tomorrows session – a day 1 win for me !
Hey Tony. I’m really excited to be learning guitar after 40 years of wanting to, but thinking I couldn’t. I got my guitar last week lol. Rank beginner at guitar, but I’ve played chord melody style mountain dulcimer for a decade. What I’ve learned there seems to be transferring over pretty well to guitar.
I guessed I learned today’s challenge yesterday when I saw it on your page. Struggling a little with muted strings, but overall I’m pleased and I find the exercise very enjoyable. Thank you so much!
I’ve been playing on and off most of my life. More so with my current guitar for the last 25 years. I mostly play fingerstyle. I keep going over the same songs, but nothing gets to performance level.
Hi Tony, I played rhythm guitar in a garage band and in my high school stage band 45+ years ago. I can strum, read music, know basic theory, and play around a campfire (with a chord sheet) but never have been able to improvise or play by ear. I tried learning classical guitar a few years ago, but keep getting stuck and taking long breaks so I have to start over. I want to fall in love with my guitar again. I collect guitars that gather dust and it’s such a waste. BTW, my husband is a serious Dead fan (not quite a Dead Head), so Friend of the Devil sold me on this challenge..
I have been playing the guitar since I was a kid, and I play with the music team at my church, but I just strum the chords. I don’t know how to read music or finger pick, so I’m hoping to learn.
I have never been a picker, only a strummer, so this is challenging. Also, I am picking it up after many years away, so still building up calluses. I can only play for 10-15 min and am still working on finger detarity
Didn’t seem to post first time, so this may repeat…
Been dabbling on and off for decades. This lesson really helped. I feel as though I’d be better off starting from the beginning to unlearn bad habits.
One thing: I see a lot of tutorials teaching the picking direction opposite from what is intuitive. Like the up pick on the second string where I’d naturally want to keep moving my hand downward and then as I come back up to the upper string my hand is already moving upward so I’d do an up pick. I’m inclined to say that whatever rhythm my mind can wrap around – as long as the finished product sounds right – should work best for me. But since everyone stresses picking motion as instructed as being important, I need to ask why?
I know some songs like Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast require all down picks to sound right, and that is phenomenally way beyond my skill level, but I believe that its true. In other cases there are songs I CAN play just fine by following my own picking pattern. I want to learn the right way, but nobody has explained why certain ways are “right”.
Hi, Tony. I am brand new, never took a lesson and never held a guitar. I met a guy and bought his for this challenge. I’m 71, ugh. I didn’t know what frets, or hammer meant so I googled them. I slowed it down to just get the rhythm and watch your hands on the frets, then when you were picking. Not there yet. I’m not sure where my hand is supposed to be. Also, I don’t know the notes.
Hi Tony, thank you for this challenge. I started playing guitar about 6 months ago when a colleague gave me one. I play fiddle and bass guitar so did have some idea. But I like guitar so I can accompany myself. I am really eager to learn new techniques and play better to make things more interesting and have more fun.
Never picked up a guitar before. Getting the timing down is a challenge. Also keeping my fingers on only one string is hard.
Can’t get past picking the e then the a. E is ok a is mute my figures get in the way
I’m a regular player(10+years) but just doing rhythm and vocals so I’m stuck there. I’m ready to move forward and learn new techniques.
Brand new to guitar. My biggest challenge was holding the neck properly where my fingers aren’t sitting on the lower strings
Great start to the challenge! Breaking it down into small steps makes practicing the technique so much easier. Looking forward to Day 2!
I didn’t get to lesson 1 until today and found I have a very hard time separating my ring finger from my middle finger. The ring finger just barely reaches over the fret. What can i do to improve that?
Brand new never touched a guitar before
Played a small amount in high school. Remember nothing. I definitely feel like a total beginner. My fingers hurt lol, but its a cool first lesson.
I’m new and actually starting with day one on day two – one day behind.
I forgot to mention I am completely new to this guitar playing.
Thanks for the instruction it took quite a while a few times rewinding and playing to get the point. But time now for day two
Thanks for the tips, took a few minutes and some rewinding to get it locked in as to where and what to play… Very nicely presented, let’s get going on the guitar… here comes day two and the rest of the week… I like your style… 🙂
Older player who has been stagnant. I’m not progressing and not bad. I can play along at jeans on most songs…. But would like to improve my skills to where I am able to jump in. Self taught intermediate level
Starting as an intermediate guitar player, playing for 10 years, 66 years old. Like bluegrass and started playing mandolin aswell last year. Good first lesson.
Cheers
Kelly
I am not new to playing guitar, I am self taught and have sung in coffee houses, pubs, churches and around the campfire. I play adequately, but have never got above the first fretboards except for a few bar chords. I know all the chords in the key of C, A, D, G, and E plus their minors. I can pick and strum. But I haven’t played for years. I am 79 and could not follow your basic instructions today. When you tried to explain the buttons I was lost. I got my guitar tuned to yours, which was a tone higher, but still couldn’t out what your fingers were playing. I tried 2x today and couldn’t get it.
Hi, I recently completed the No Theory course. It helped alot with the basics. I am checking out your course intro to see how I can expand.
20 Minutes to differetiate the up- and downstrokes. Helped me to make notes of them on the TAB-printout. I now practiced about 30 minitues on the 0.5 speed play an still cannot keep up with the speed. Makes me feel I am way to slow. Especially if the session tomorrow build on the knowledge and speed of today. Although I like the excercise. But I guess I have to double or tripple the time (days) for excercises.
Sarasota,Florida
Have been playing acoustic and electric guitar for multiple year, most without any true direction. Took one on one instruction, but it never felt like I was gaining any true progress. Spent a lot of time online learning songs and most chords for those songs. It was enjoyable, but I had to alway have written tabs for most songs. I really enjoy music and playing guitar, but my progress has not gone where I would like. I watch the ad by Tony and it sparked my interest in trying something new. I am so looking forward to see if this program are for me.
I have a background in piano but have always wanted to play guitar. At 57 I started private guitar lessons and, five years in, I’m not playing with the ease I’d hoped to have. I’ve been mainly focused on learning chords and transitions and strumming patterns, but my interpretation feels mechanical. I’m looking forward to learning those core skills that my private lessons have neglected and, hopefully, becoming a more well-rounded player.
Never even tried guitar until now. 70 and live alone and decided I want to learn
Starting to actually commit after decades of start and stop with the bulk of the time staring at a guitar on a stand wondering how to get the music out of it. Started the jumpstart last week and it was as promised. I’m feeling pretty good about this. Thanks