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.
Dang. Cannot get the pull off on G string without B string ringing out or the pull off being too loud. Ugh.
Epiphone from G4V. It sounds good. I also I went through the online class with G4V in 2024. I made ok progress because of the 1v1 instruction and accountability. After completing the program I received the Epiphone and continued my self paced learning. However, I got distracted with life events and lost the daily habit of playing. Unfortunately, I don’t have a local network with interest in guitar so I’m a lone ranger with playing. I’m hoping this 5-day challenge will be a catalyst to get back into the daily habit. After yesterday (Day 1) I realized I need to re-establish some finger calluses in order to make some forward progress. I thinking progress the week with 5-day challenge will be slow due to finger tenderness.
P.S. I also own an Oscar Schmidt. I purchased it in 1995 when I first started trying to play. I’ve took lessons off and on over the years but could never keep a consistent habit of playing.
Well.. I have a Tanglewood TW5 CE
I have numerous guitars, but I tend to use a late 60’s Ovation Balladeer, most of the time. The action is low, it’s loud, and you have keep your posture upright to keep it on your lap.
Playing a Taylor 914CE I recently picked up used at a local guitar shop. Nice guitar with low action that suits my arthritic hands pretty nicely. I have a few other guitars, but this is my new favorite.
I’m playing a Yamaha F325. Bought off Amazon as a starter kit about 15 years ago and I still think it’s pretty great. I go through cycles where it goes into the closet for a few years then out again… and every time I pick it back up it still sounds good 🙂
Yamaha CSF3M parlor. I’ve noticed some intonation issues so I will be taking it to the guy that set up my Uke.
My guitar is a gloss black Fender DG11 acoustic dating from about 20 to 25 years ago. I had a luthier set it up, there is a little fret reasonance (buzz) on one lower down fret with just one string, but to have it removed would cost what I paid second-hand for the guitar, here in Ireland. The fret wires would need realignment and polishing, etc. Hopefully, it will be OK for learning on. Ger
Tanglewood acoustic at the moment
Hi Tony, Thank you for this! I’m playing a Norman B-20 Folk, which I really like, though I think I’d rather have a parlour sized one to fit me better. Really appreciating your style of teaching!
Hey, Tony. Thanks for the free lesson! I’m pushing 60 and still playing my Fender Gemini II, which I bought in 1988 for $175. Though I mostly bang away in the basement on it and rarely bring it upstairs, this guitar has had the best return on investment of anything I’v ever bought in my life.
I’m playing a GS mini Taylor learning along from my camper in Alaska
Martin SE-13E
Oops typo.
My is a
Martin SC-12E
Playing an Alvarez 5006 (Made in Spain).
“Borrowed” it from my stepmom as it was just sitting for years untouched in the house. She likely got it in the 60s or 70s. Never saw her touch it. I think my younger brothers might have played it some in high school.
Correction: (Made in Japan)
I usually leave it out on a stand where I pass it multiple times a day and frequently I’ll stop to pick it up and play.
Playing on a Fender DG-60 Dreadnought, my main bedside guitar. I’ve had it for 10 years or so. I have another one I’ve had for over thirty
Fender Stratocaster, US Made, Sunburst
I play a 50th Anniversary Zager guitar, of Zager and Evans (In The Year 2525).
I’ve only played rhythm guitar in the past, as keyboard is my lead instrument, and all of the above has only been by ear so the concept of tabs and playing by note is really new to me and kind of difficult to follow, but – hey – this is only my second day❣️
Also, terms like ‘hammer on’ are foreign to me, but I can look them up. I’m presuming it means bending the string for vibrato or plucking a string with left hand on an open string to play the note as shown in the video.
I’m looking forward to seeing how I feel by Friday.
I’m playing a Martin 000c-16. I love the size for me small stature.
I’m playing a Martin 000-15M that I bought a few years back. My dad was a Martin fan so I bought one. I really wanted a 000-15M but bought a cheaper dreadnaught because it was on sale. I never bonded with it though, so after about a year I traded it in on what I really wanted all along.
I started playing again with a Yamaha F325D in January of this year and then upgraded to a Epiphone Swingster in June because it is easier to play. I played for a few months in 1969 or so with an Accoustic with the strings a half inch off from the neck too. The Yamaha is only slightly better than that.
I’m playing a Washburn Baby Jumbo WB200SK
I’m playing on an Antares acoustic that I bought in the late 80’s for 125.00. Which was a lot of money for me back in the day. It’s lived a spoiled life mostly sitting in the corner of my climate controlled house being played sporadically. It’s in great shape and plays nicely. 3 years ago I started taking in person lessons and have been playing it almost daily ever since. Thanks for this 5 day challenge and all the YouTube content you put out.
I am playing my new Eastman E10 00SS-TC.
Stringsmith Vagabond travel guitar
I’m playing an old Hondo ‘fat boy’.
H Tony
My guitar is Fender CD-60 Dread-V3
Ive been playing the guitar for 5 years now, late starter at 63, but I love it so much.
Thanks for this challenge, certainly testing my fingers and patience – but in a really good way.
Thanks Tony and looking forward to the next 3 days as it all starts to cime together
I’m playing a Taylor Grand concert, C12e.
Very nice sound and playablity. Spruce top with maple carcass. The finish is red sunburst.
Today’s lick is very fun to play, I think it’s my new ear worm.
Carl
Art & Lutherie Ami Parlor
Taylor Acoustic
I am playing a Martin GS Mini. Being a little smaller I find it slightly easier for my very small hands. But finding hammer ons difficult. And pull offs for that matter.
fender starcaster
’69 Martin D28. Bought it from my bandmate in ’73 (still has the grooves south of the sound hole from his banjo fingerpicks!). In perfect tune every time. Stupidly sold my ’68 strat in the 70s because I so loved playing this guitar. Gigged with it through high school and college. Did not play a lot for years, career, kids, etc.
I am playin a Taylor 814ce 50th anniversary Builders Edition
Playing a Yamaha CSF 1m
frustrated! Can’t find the tab!
under the video on the right side. Looks like a little chart. click on that
I’m playing a greenKeith Urban acoustic that I setup with nice low action.
Originally from Oregon love Sisters. Little brother owned a body shop in Bend. Folks still live in Central Pt. I’m trying to play a fender Stratacoustic and when Im not on that I murder an Epi Les Paul Slash signature november burst
PRS CE 24 Swamp Ash and Alvarez Solid Black Walnut Artist Series acoustic that I love but the dang thing projects so much volume that I don’t get to practice with it as much as I can with electric and headphones
Thanks for the workshop!
Washburn J9, loooove this guitar!
cannot finf the tablature
Harmony H181 acoustic or a Washburn Lyon electric. Now I know there are a lot more guitar owners than players. Good luck everyone.
My only acoustic guitar. A fender New Porter I bought in 1985.
I’m playing a DiGiorgio classical guitar
I’m having a little trouble getting sufficient volume from my pull off on the 4th fret of the G string. Any advice?
I am playing a Martin SC-28e
Fender Paramount Mahogony PM-2 (Parlour)
I’m playing a Denver 12-string, which I may be insane for using! 😀
I’m playing a Martin SC10-e.
I’m playing a OM that I built myself while apprenticing under a luthier. Prior to finishing my custom, I was dabbling with a Tanara dreadnought that I got from Guitars 4 Vets.