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
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30 DAY JUMPSTART
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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.
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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.
Good morning Tony. I first picked up the guitar when I was18 and now I’m 72. I played and jammed with friends for a few years and then somewhere along the way life got in the way. A wife, 4 kids and everything that goes along with raising a family. So, my guitar sat in the closet and before I realized, 40 years had gone by. I tried to pick it up again, but I just couldn’t get it. So, it went back into the closet. I’ve dabbled and I finally decided that this was the year that I learned to play again. My wife surprised me with a new Washburn for Christmas and I love it. Great sound and it’s easy to play. Thanks for your inspiration. Jz
PRS SE Standard 24 in Translucent Blue, it was my friend John’s who passed
Telecaster
I’m playing a 1951 Gibson ES-225 T my dad bought for me from a musician in 1965 when I was 15 years old.
I took it with me when I went to Vietnam and tried to play along with my buddies at night on board USS Constellation.
Lot’s of history but not much great music coming from me. It’s in fantastic condition.
I am playing a Taylor 414 ce. I’ve owned it for several years.
Orangewood Oliver Retro. Arrive yesterday.
Today’s s positive: I tuned the gutter again and was able to tie a few of these notes together to make something that sounded similar to Tony’s lesson. Ha
Takamini TAN15C
A gift from my wife
Ibanez AZES40
Seagull S6
I am playing a 20 year old Larrivee. I believe the model is OM-1, but not sure as there is no model identifier inside. It is a smaller body – like a folk style acoustic. I got it from the factory when they were here in Vancouver Canada. It was a ‘factory second’ as it has the wrong rosette for the model. I prefer to say that it is a ‘one-off custom’! Plays and sounds great – the guitar is definitely not the limiting factor!
I am playing a Santa Cruz OM/PW
Playing an Epiphone Masterbilt DR500mce. Love it!
Playing a Taylor X-1 not sure what year. When I get done building my Stewmac $99 dollar Strat type solid body guitar I am going to get the buzz out of the bridge and the buzzing around the 12th to 15 frets.
Any suggestions for left hand muscle fatigue? I spent to much time playing G major, minor and Em scales up to 2nd position last night. Then I was having so much fun I decided to do C and Am up to 2nd position. Really hard to use the pinky tonight. I didn’t notice the fatigue until playing tonight.
I’m not playing an acoustic guitar, I’m playing my Deadbolt by Phred Instruments modeled after Jerry Garcia’s Lighting Bolt guitar made by Doug Irwin,
Taylor 414
i’m playing a guitar that i made a couple years ago…
2005 Yakamine TAN550 I picked up at a pawn shop last week.
Big Baby Taylor
Alvarez Yairi DY45n 1986 acoustic bought new in college
Seagull S Series
A Martin D18 that was my Dads
Fender classic
Yamaha APX700II
Bought this used at a black Friday sale for $200 Canadian.
I play a ART &LUTHERIE SPRUCE dreadlnot I have been trying to play for 5 yrs and still don’t consider myself very good at it. Mostly self taught from
online and utube stuff
I can play and sing a few songs if I have the chords and lyrics in front of me , but I have a hard time getting the rythem of a song
Taylor Big Baby…working my way back up to something a bit sweeter. My former love was a solid walnut 1978 Gibson “The Paul”. Wish I still had that gem!!!
Hi Tony
The website seemed slow today. Probably with so many people accessing it. Felt like I had a small win today. Got the whole lick under my fingers and played slowly without fluffing! I’m taking that to the bank.
I’m playing a Yamaha AC5R, solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides with a mahogany neck. Thank you for such and encouraging day two.
I have a YAMAHA FS820. My wife got me when I retired in March of 2022. I’m getting better I work at every day.
It would help to have the tabular, I am having a hard time seeing what notes are played
Hi Tony. I have a Martin 000-15 Auditorium I bought used in 2006.
Epiphone, Hummingbird
Hi Tony I have a Esteban the vintage
I have a Yamaha FS800 that I bought a couple of months ago.
Good morning Tony, I’m playing an Epiphone DR-100. Very inexpensive, but a good sounding guitar.
Hi – I have a Denver cutaway acoustic (model DEN-GAV-MH) that my guitar playing friend set up & gave me. He did a fair bit of work on it and it plays really well 🙂
Thanks for todays lesson.
I am a new beginner and I am playing an Alverez RC26.
Neva here…I ‘set out runnin’ but I’ took my time… beginning with a used Kent in the 70’s and in the 80’s an Epiphone. Meanwhile my partner had a lovely Guild I would pick up a bit. The Guild was stolen and he bought a Godin 5th Avenue which I too played occasionally. We both moved on, hubby to banjo and me to mandolin. Recently on a whim I tried out a Martin LX1, was impressed with it’s sound for the smaller body and was very pleased with it’s feel. One of those impromptu whims. So I am back to 6 strings with more than a Touch of Grey.
I bought it then and there and here I am giving guitar another go. Started out running but I took my time.
I play a Taylor 114ce. I bought it last year after having been solely an electrc bass player in gigging blues and rock bands.
My Indie Tribal that I’ve had since 2003. I’m enjoying having some structure to my guitar practice which has been seriously lacking for some time.
I have dabbled since high school but would like to be better. My wife bought me a Taylor 615 for our 5th wedding anniversary in 1991 and it is a great guitar! We have now been married 38 years. Enjoying day 2 so far and looking forward to getting more use out of it.
I’m an old beginner and have two. A 1990 Alvarez thin body acoustic and a Taylor GS Mini Mahogany. The Alvarez is much easier on my fingers so I’m trying to play it.
New player. My son gave me his Oscar Schmidt Model OG-2N.
Air guitar. Waiting on an Orangewood Oliver Classic. needless to say, will start again next week. Thanks
. I had a Yamaha FG75 that was “my buddy” since 1977 I was just a strummer and the sweet little Yamaha was stolen in ‘95
Now I’m Playing an Epiphone John Lennon
EJ-160E/VC electric acoustic – (beautiful tone) I bought in 2016 as a reward for myself and It’s been sitting silent for too long- I restrung and tuned it yesterday prior to the first lesson. I struggled quite a bit even at 1/2 speed, but keeping it next to me to treat myself in the evening ‘chill time’ I have a way to go to get my calluses back, but I’m enjoying the process. I may need to restring again with lighter gauge until my fingers toughen up
I reviewed and played the first days video prior to today’s lesson in order to build more muscle memory It went better today Not used to using a pic though.
BTW- the video keeps locking up on me today. I think it’s my internet provider . I reverted to pulling up the tabs to play, which kinda makes it easier.
once I am more proficient, hopefully the video will cooperate and I will be able to play with it
Also, really appreciate being able to slow the play to 1/2 speed- I dig that – helped me a lot yesterday. I’ll try to download the daily lesson that may solve the buffering problem on my end
Thanks Tony!
I’m playing an Ibanez JP300 that I bought in 1981 to replace the Harmony Monterey my dad learnt to play on (the action of which was so high that it was impossible to do barres on). The neck was bent and it didn’t have a truss rod so it cut my fingers to shreds and the action was as low as it could be. I still love my Ibanez but i haven’t played regularly for over 20 years because my son has autism and when he was young he was quite violent & i was worried he would break my guitar. I’m now trying to get back into playing and get my confidence back so i can do singers nights again. My picking has never been good. A little finger picking but no flat picking so I’m also trying to increase my skills.
Unfortunately, as a carer, I can’t afford to join for the long haul.
Eastman AC422CE
Breedove Atlas Series AD20/SM (2004 purchase)
Im playing a fender classic dread left design
Fender newporter
Enjoyed Day 2. I got a new Orangewood Oliver for Christmas. I’m liking it a lot. I don’t have anything to campare it to, but it seems to play nicely.
A 1960s? Yamaha-a flashback from my childhood. It has the most soothing and rich sounds. I just cant wait to do it justice. Today was rough. Embarrassed to say I was frustrated so quickly. Lesson 2 on .5 speed for half an hour and I got the last 2 measures at snails pace. But even being able to hear the notes align was enough to really make me smile.