TIPS FOR TODAY
You might be thinking, “There’s no way I can learn this in 10 minutes.”
Good — because you’re not supposed to.
The goal isn’t to perfect the challenge in ten minutes. It’s to introduce your fingers and your brain to something new so they’ll be a little smoother the next time you sit down with a similar skill.
Motor-learning research shows that short, imperfect reps create more progress than long, grinding sessions. Ten minutes keeps your brain sharp, your hands relaxed, and the habit alive.
And here’s the quiet superpower of the 10-minute rule: it gets you started. Most people end up playing longer because once you’re in motion, the fun takes over.
So today, just touch the new idea a few times. Let that be enough.
Ten minutes builds momentum — and momentum builds players.
YOUR SAMPLE WEEK OF TONY'S ACOUSTIC CHALLENGE
5-Day "Stop Dabbling, Start Playing Guitar" Challenge
- 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.
80’s vintage Alvarez Yairi CY-118 (classical), cedar w/ east indian rosewook back and sides,
Tony yes, your delivery is spot on,explanations easy to follow. My problem is with the fret hand could not even press down on yesterdays challenge, today I went and worked for a half hour on just trying to pick my way down the strings in the pattern you demonstrated. The guitar I’m using has the markings of the letters GK on the headstock. I’m 75 and want to achieve this to help pass the time during winter months when snowed in. This five day challenge is my hope to learn enough to feel I can progress to entertaining myself.
Playing a Fender CD-60S Dreadnought V2 Acoustic with solid spruce top. Beautiful instrument. Been away from playing 30 years but hoping I can do it justice.
I have my deceased son Kyle’s Martin DC-16GTE. After several years I felt ready to open the case and take it out. I have never played and have no idea how to begin. I just want to play Kyle’s guitar and cherish the memories of his playing.
sunlite
Tony: you’re playing a Thompson? As in Preston Thompson? Whew!!! That is elite.
PEOPLE: If you’re struggling with this lesson just remember what Tony told you in this lesson and in the introductory video. It’s absolutely OK. Take it slow (and I mean VERY VERY slow), a little bit at a time. Try a little bit of it, a small enough piece that you can get your head around. Do ONLY that over and over at first. If you get frustrated step away for 30 minutes, then come back and try again. When that starts to get easy and you feel like you can do it correctly 8 out of 10 times, then either add another piece, or speed it up A TINY BIT. Then when it seems pretty easy to do that, speed it up a little more.
I know, it’s VERY annoying to be able to play something slowly but then it falls apart when it’s a little faster. I’ve been playing since 1981, and although I am playing things I used to think I could NEVER get good enough to play, I still have to do this process for guitar parts that are too hard for me. Persevere! It works. It’s exactly how I got to the level I am at now. Tony is telling you good stuff here.
I’m playing a Taylor Builder’s Edition K24ce that I bought earlier this year. I wanted a guitar that would sound great, play great, and visually inspire me to pick it up, and this has proven to be a great choice. I’m smitten with this guitar.
(But I still want a big ol rosewood/Spruce dread).
Tony, tell us how you can work at Alamo guitars in San Antonio and live in Boseman, Montana? Do you literally commute by airlines?
Love Tony’s enthusiasm but this program is unrealistic. There is no way for a beginner or even a novice to keep up at this pace. Too much info per day and very little here different than any other program. Probably best to take lessons from a live instructor if you are a new player & want to learn. Wish this particular program had actually been as advertised but it is not. Best of luck to those who sign up. I hope you’ve got quite a bit of experience already
Hi this is Trish,
I have 2 guitars but am using a Taylor GS Mini for this course.
I am playing a Yamaha FS700S that I got second hand for $50!
I play a Martin DM
I’m playing an Orangewood Morgan Live I bought 1.5 years ago and have barely touched since then. I’m happy to finally be playing it, even though I don’t feel like I’m following along with the lesson so far. It’s hard for me to not stay on one part without going back and doing it over and over until I perfect it, but it’s a lot more enjoyable not putting that pressure on myself. I really like the tone of my guitar and now I’m glad I bought it.
Guitar is a Yamaha FG700S
Martin D-10E. It sounds incredible even in my hands. LOL
Yamaha FSX800c
Yamaha FGX700SC
Abilene AW-015 from the early 2000’s. My wife got it for me for Christmas from MediaPlay for a hundred bucks. It’s not awesome, but it sounds pretty good when my oldest daughter plays it! Unfortunately I never did anything with it, so I am trying to start from scratch at 50.
1970# Sears Yamaha that is so made out of plywood that it stays in tune for everything. And a vintage because it is navy blue. and sounds great.
I have a Gibson SJ200. All the gear and no idea!
I have a Jasmine (by takamine S33VS). I’m struggling with this challenge. t’s been far too many years since I picked up a guitare. although I can still rely on body memory for some tune, I find this training super challenging and difficult.brain and fingers are out of synch.
Yamaha FG800M
so today I actually got the d cord of the first lesson working. The second lesson is definitely overwhelming. Happy that I got the first part going. The guitar is a hand me down Burswood acoustic. I did bring it into a shop and had it re-strung and tuned before starting.
1970 Yamaha FG360
Yamaha FSX800C
I am not going to play that song found lessons that teaches bluegrass I had not considered what music you would teach i am sorry I waisted you time
Hi Tony. I’m 59 years old and just getting into it. I’m using my daughter’s Cort guitar right now. I want to buy a zager as soon as I can scrape some money together. They advertise as being easier to play. I love your teaching style
I have been on and off learning to play for almost 2 years. When I started, I had a rental from the music store. It was easy enough to play but I didn’t like the tone of it. A friend suggested Zager made a nice guitar for a reasonable price, that’s what I play now and I do like it very much. The tone of it compared to the rental was finally music to my ears. I’m 68 years old and looking forward to learning some new skills.
I am playing an Ibenez guitar. It was given to me by a friend. I helped fix his computer and didn’t charge him, so he gave me one of his guitars.
I’m playing an old S Yairi 900 made in Japan that I purchased some time in the late 60’s early 70’s.
Last year I had it refurbished: It plays and sounds great.
– Reinforced cracks with Hide glue.
– Clean-up.
– Installed custom-cut bone saddle (83X8X2.4MM).
– Retrofit new Gotoh tuner set (they were hard to find as they are not the standard size).
– Set-up to A-440 using D’Addario EJ45 28-43 string set.
Fender
Yamaha FS800…Great setup right out of the box. Also an Eastman PCH 2 – beautiful guitar!
Martin CEO-7
Yamaha FG800VT
Fender FA series DE FA 135
Warmouth ~tele, Orangewood Cleo
I play a Taylor GS-Mini mahogany that I love to travel in my van with and play down by the river.
Playing on a 2017 Taylor 717e.
2009 MIM Lake Placid Blue Fender Strat
Enya NOVA GO SP1 Carbon Fiber Travel Guitar, acoustic/electric setup
Yamaha fg180 red label
Yamaha F310P
I’ve been playing “Sweet Pea” my Shell Pink 2026/1965 Fender Mustang…recently rebuilt with all new and upgraded features except for her original 1965 neck and she sounds fantastic. Having a great time…thank you Tony for making this so much fun!
1960 Hummingbird reissue Epiphone inspired by Gibson, sorry long name but just got it!
Washburn. no idea what model
Fender FA-135CE
1985 Alvarez by Kazuo Yairi. DY61.
Fender FA-135CE
Epiphone PR-5E/N
My youngest daughter’s 1990 or so Hohner HW200 that set in the case for 3 decades. Surprisingly nice for a student guitar. Even the bridge height is adjustable.
2013 Martin HD-28