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.
I play with a 2025 Yamaha AC5R
Martin HD-28
Epiphone Masterbilt DR-500MCE
Yamaha FG-160 that I got when I was 12, my first guitar.
I play Zagger 900 , at least I try to play it.
this lesson seems like alot. Im totally new but you said it was going to be a challenge… My guitar is a Epiphone
I use a Mitchell acoustic guitar I bought used for 75. It was in great condition
Hi Tony,
I am playing a Yamaha FG400A which I have had for a very long time and have not really played in the last 30 odd years. I’m doing better than I expected although ends of my fingers are a bit sore not being used to playing.
1990 Taylor 615 jumbo maple and an Alvarez AJ80 12 string
Art & Lutherie Wild Cherry
1965 Levin Goliath – had it for 60 years – refurbished a few years ago with an added pick up and improved action
Orangewood Dana M
3/4 size
Taylor 214ee DLX
Hi,
I’m playing an Epiphone Acoustic-Electric Hummingbird Pro.
Frank
Hi Tony,
I have a La Petrie, Etude, and an Orangewood, Oliver M.
40 year old yamaha fg-410
Fender Acoustic {80s ?}
Seagull Maritime series mini-jumbo with cutaway and Landola jumbo
A lowden S-35c , hoping to be a good enough player to justify it one day!
Love my little Yamaha FG-75.
Ibanez PF54CE
A Sonicake travel guitar and a Fender Kingman.
Yamaha Pacifica 112V but also switching with Fender FA125CE, both pretty budget guitars and I do plan to upgrade as my skills improve. I want to restrict myself on a new purchase and earn it first with lots of practice.
Tanglewood
And
Taylor GS Mini in Mahogany
I’m currently exclusively playing my Cordoba GK Studio Negra nylon string acoustic. It’s easiest on my hands at the moment. My other main acoustic is a Washburn jumbo maple.
Fender Strat Ultra 2023 SSS
I’m playing a Guild M-20
Tony I have a YAMAHA C45M it feels like my hand is too small and fingers are too big
I have a travel guitar I got off Amazon. It’s an Enya. At home I have a Seagull accoustic.
Day2: I am playing an Art & Lutherie (made by Godin Canada), cutaway “Concert Hall” style. Cedar top
Ok, for Day 2 I’m playing my Huss & Dalton TD-R Custom Pilgrim. Day 1 was a Larrivee OM-40.
I’m playing a Seagull plus, cutaway cedar top natural finish
Yamaha F-335
I have a Yamaha LL6 acoustic. I had a hard time ‘mastering’ it, but I knew when I tried it out (without even knowing how to play!) that it was the one I wanted, and 3 years later, I just love it!
Im not able to navigate access well using my phone. Its too confusing as I don’t know the string names. I think you’ve lost me.
Hello there,
Playing on a Classic ESTEVE 6PS, yes nylon strings 🙂
Tanglewood Guitar Company model TL SFCE GBK Bought it about 10 years ago. Sat in my closet. Hard tuning it with the built in tuner.
I am playing on a Fener Starcaster electric guitar. The action is a little bit lighter than my Acoustic Guitar so it is a bit easier to play. I wish I would have found a teacher like Tony about 50 years ago. I have taken lessons from time to Time and I knew that this was the way I wanted to be taught. There is a lot going on now with the holidays so I am having some difficulty getting to the lessons but I will finish the 5 lessons and join up.
Hi Tony! I joined last week but couldn’t get down to playing. Started today and already progressing – so cool. I’m playing a Martin DX 1 Dreadnought with battery connection rolling around inside – need to get that fixed! Have had it since 2005 and playing very on and off since, but love playing. Will finish the 5-day Dead instruction then join up. Thanks Daniel
Hi Tony. I playing a Santa Cruz VS guitar.
Washburn…mini
Seagull M Series Mini-Jumbo 6-string.
I am playing on a Yamaha S-50 A.
Bob Taylor’s 810 WMB with custom setup with D’Addario phosphor bronze XS
Fender Stratocaster
Playing a Fender GC23S Nat
Dowina OMG, mahogany b/s cedar top. Handmade in Slovakia
Playing a Martin 000-12E
I’m playing a 2001 Taylor Big Baby guitar and love the lessons so far! Thanks!
Playing a old Suzuki Co – Starting over at 63 of age