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.
My guitar is a Taylor 222ce Koa bought a few weeks ago. Absolutely love it!
Step up from my Yamaha APX600 which got me going. Loved that at the time as well.
Spanish solid top acoustic I’ve had 30 years
Vintage Carlos 228 Classical Acoustic Guitar. It is a cheap guitar but holds its tune and one of my favorite to play.
Fender Stratocaster, not exactly acoustic, but I can hear it without plugging in!
Here’ my TMI response of the day: I’m playing a Martin HD-28 Centennial (2016) with the K&K Pure Mini Pickup and James May Engineering Ultra Tonic V3. The guitar was set up by Robert Stubblebine Luthier in Somerville Massachusetts. I feel like I’m in heaven when I play this instrument.
playing a Sunlite. still getting my fingertips in shape.
Just starting! Have had a guitar for twenty years and decided it’s time! Enjoying this class so far played g on a strata and an acoustic American legacy
It took me a few times, but I was able to follow through both videos and keep up…with a huge smile on my face. I’m playing a Martin 000-15M, which I got for a great price used.
Really struggling with muting the G-string (giggity) when transitioning from D-string to G-string and back, but I’ll keep practicing.
I don’t know this song so it’s a bit of a challenge but I’ll get it. I’m playing a Washburn D10SCE that I inherited from my son.
I’m playing a 2001 Taylor 710CE but I wish I was playing that Thompson. I live just down the road from Sisters Oregon in Bend.
Jasmine, once I had the action lowered it became more playable for me. Had a Gibson G45 but didn’t feel worthy so I gave it to my son 🙂
I’m playing a Taylor 214ce in limited black limba! This is the nicest guitar I’ve ever had. I’ve been playing off and on for longer than I’d like to say.
I’m playing a parlour kit from Solo Music Gear that I built. It’s one of my guinea pig kits that I use for learning to do setups and repair. I started pursuing lutherie after becoming obsessed with guitars but not making much progress learning to play. So, here I am trying to start learning again with your course.
I’m playing, at least trying to play, a Glarry GST. Yesterday’s lesson took me a good hour to keep going over it, still not 100% correct, but I suppose I’ve got to reprogram my fingers and brain to each other.
I’m playing a PRS S2 Special semi-hollow electric. I’m not an acoustic guitar player, but your teaching method is supported by a book I read: Learn Faster, Perform Better – A musician’s guide to the neuroscience of practicing by Molly Gebrian. You seem to be the only one teaching a method supported by the book, so I thought I’d give you a try,
I have a dreadnaught Guild D-50 that I bought when I was around 22 years old. It had a scratch on the face that brought the price down a bit. Now that I’m at the tender age of 72, this guitar has been my companion for 50 years. Turns out my guitar has patience without end, even when I don’t.
My guitar still has that scratch on its face…possibly we look more alike these days.
Playing a Guild D35 dreadnaught from the 70’s. This series is very helpful so far. I originally had a nylon string classical guitar with a neck like a 2×4. I thought I sounded like garbage whenever I strummed it with a pick but sounded OK when I fingerpicked it. Got very good at travis fingerpicking and pretty much played everything that way – but never learned how to use a pick. I’ll confess that the up down strokes of lesson 1 are a struggle for me but I appreciate laying a foundation on how to pick notes with a pick.
I am playing my bother’s old Gibson B-25. Neck feels a little small for my fingers but still sounds nice. BTW, I just had it refurbished…rehydrated, new bridge, and fret work
Taylor GSmini Bear Claw Spruce and Rose Wood
I’m playing a Zager ZAD50CE with African Mohagany back, sides, and top. I put 10’s on it with a non-wound G string. I have a set of String Joy 10.5s on order.
I’m playing a Martin Dreadnought Junior been strumming chords for ten years and when I see some one playing lead I just wished I could do that
I am playing an acoustical Jasmine by Takamine It holds it’s tune very well but the steel strings do cut into my fingertips until I get calloused enough. Had a hard time with lesson one but I am willing to keep trying. I played chords most of my life since the seventies, self taught from chord books, and had a difficult time progressing. Especially bar chords since my hands are small. I am 77 years old but still wish to continue developing my skill. I like folk and gospel music, not rock so much but tolerate it.
Jasmine S34C
I’ve got a dreadnaught made by Jason Kraunbauer, a builder in Armstrong, BC. Love this guitar. I sold an electric bass a few years ago and used the money to replace the frets and it sings better than ever.
I am playing a Fender Paramount mahogany 000.
I am playing a Martin D 12 string.
I play a Taylor GS Mini Mahogany! I love the sound and ease of playing this guitar.
Playing a Martin 000-16GT
Playing a Dean Performer that I’ve had since 91. Trying to advance past lifelong beginner at 60!
I am playing an Orangewood Rey now because Tony told me to buy it on one of his other videos! My other guitar is a beautiful lacewood Fender that I couldn’t play to save my life.
Started playing guitar through Guitars for Vets. They gave me a Black Epiphone Pro-1 with all the trimmings. I bought a (previously played) Seagull S6+Cedar GT that has been set up. Love the Seagull. I also bought a (previously played) Michael Kelly, Patriot Black, but haven’t spent any time on it. I’ve been playing for about a year, at least 5 days a week sometimes for more than and hour a day and when I watch TV at night I practice little things like chord transitions and finger picking.
I am playing a Taylor 224 Koa DLX been dabbling fir around 2 years and been playing for 3 days
Fender Paramount PM-2 Parlor (all mahogany) tuned down a step
Martin mahogany street master today. Love guitar tone wood with different sounds
Playing a breedlove passport series.
I’m playing a Fender Paramount PM 3C all mahogany.
Taylor Big Baby. I have been learning for over 5 years I keep plateauing but love to play .
I’m not acoustic—does that mean I can’t join? I’m playing an Epiphone Casino Coupe because I love the Beatles but wanted a body that was smaller than a regular Casino.
I am playing a Maestro MA 41 by Gibson
Takamine EF-341.
Thirty-some years ago I was looking for an acoustic that felt just right. After visiting several guitar stores and playing a number of guitars, I landed on a glowing used Taylor 512 at an old folk music shop. I’ve learned some simpler pieces along the way, but haven’t really gotten to a higher comfort level on it, and have always been quite self-conscious about saying I play, being embarrassed about my level. This year I’m finally working consistently on learning to play better, electric for a while, which I love, and now I’ve pulled out my Taylor and find I keep reaching for it, over and over.
Hi, Fender F-03, which I bought around 45 years ago.
Tuning in from Liverpool in the UK.
Really enjoying the lessons so far.
Thanks
I very like it
Tony,
Enjoying the challenge. Guitar I am using is a Kronbauer out of British Columbia.
PC
I did both lessons 1 and 2 today. I am a 50 year beginner! I can play “camp songs” with easy chords. I have a few guitars, but my favorite, and the one I’m playing now is a Simon and Patrick Showcase Mahogany. Thanks for the encouragement. I am retired and will be traveling a lot until the first of the year. I hope to sign up then.
Yamaha G-235
Oscar Schmidt model OF2
Martin LX1E. I use to build guitars at CF Martin Co. so it’s only natural I would want to learn to play guitar.
Bought my guitar a Yamaha G-60-A somewhere around 1980. Took classical lessons for so many months and hung it up. Came out shotly during pandemic. restrung it and adjusted the action a few weeks ago and I think it plays pretty well. In Whittier CA . The blues and harmonica are my other interests
My first Guitar and it is a Fender CD-605.