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.
Taylor GS mini koa
Martin GPC PA4
Fender Player Telecaster
Maybe I’ll finally deserve them! Lol! I’ve barely begun here but I’m finally having real fun.
Hey Tony.
Playing along with a Yamaha FG700S.
Doing my best to take on this challenge!
Rich Sybert
Today I am playing a Martin OM-10E & Gibson SG
Hi Tony,
I’m on the second day of your trial course. I’m playing on a Fender Paramount acoustic parlour guitar.
I haven’t played in years and my fingers are twisted up and hitting the wrong notes. I’m 64 and spent years trying to learn and getting frustrated and not trying again for long periods of time.
I’m taking your advice and grasping the small victories. That’s something that I’ve never done nor heard of before I discovered your class. Is there a specific point to start I’m feeling very much a beginner now.
Many thanks and I’m really feeling good about what I’ve experienced with your lessons.
Love this guitar lick! It really captures that “home before daylight” vibe.
Fender mid to late 90’s DG-10 6 string
Squire Strat from my friend who builds guitars set up and sold me CHEAP ! Ive only been playing about 3 weeks
Takamine F 360-S (got it in 1978 or so)
I’m playing either my Fender California Standard Monterey CE or Taylor 224ce-K-DLX. You are so right about a set up. A good set up will make your guitar feel and play amazing. I’m also in luthier school and can attest to how much better a guitar will perform and make it easier and more pleasurable to play.
Playing Taylor 814ce about 15 yo
I currently am playing a Fender Starcaster, I got at an estate sale. Sweet little guitar, even came with a case and original paperwork. I sold my Yamaha acoustic a while back and am looking at either a Martin or Taylor to replace my acoustic,
Little Martin LX1 Spruce top. I am 70 , true beginner . You are so good , as a true novice I am going to have to research to keep up . Don’t feel you started at the beginning ☺️
I have a Taylor, Grand Pacific, Builders Edition, Mahogany, Spruce top, also have a ‘68 Fender, pink paisely, Telecaster, I got really cheap years ago!
I’m playing my Epiphone Casino or Garrison cedar top
Fender 235E Concert Moonlight. Also have a Fender Newporter. “Challenge” is the exact perfect word. Hanging in there.
Taylor D710 from 1990’s
Guild D-140CE
Zager parlor
Zager parlor size
Epiphone les Paul sunburst.
Cannot get much volume from my hammer ons.. almost silent.
I am playing an Ibanez electric hollow body guitar.
My guitars:
Gretch Jim Dandy solid top concert
Fender cut away dreadnaught
Simon and Patrick cut away dreadnaught
I use the Gretch to practice for size also have small fingers. I find it easier to learn there and once I learn I have the muscle memory and it translates nicely to my larger guitars. win win
Hi Tony,
I’m playing a Washburn Bella Tono Suprema.
Hi Tony,
I am playing a 1996 Guild D-30.
Dave Davidson
Yamaha 500X is my go to practice guitar. Sweet little take anywhere guitar, great value. When I want to show off, I use my James Malejczuk custom dreadnaught – spalted maple, spruce top, mahogany neck. LR Baggs Anthem pickup. Puts any big name to shame.
My guitar is a Taylor 114ce. I think for the price, it is a great sounding first guitar!
Hi Tony, I’m playing a Fender California Debut Redondo CE, but later in the evening I switch to a Crafter Cruiser with headphones plugged in, so my family get a little peace lol!
I’m playing a Lindo tele semi acoustic – nice looking nice tone actions a little high but not as bad as the guitar I started out on 40 years ago!
I play a guitar I built myself. Cedar top.
It was a kit.
Martin Road Series Special All-Solid Grand Performance
Taylor GS-Mini Koa-E
Taylor GS-Mini Sunset Blvd
Taylor 210ce
1999 Taylor 310
Fender Stratocaster HSS
6 guitars and still can’t play! lol.. I’m positive you’ll fix that!
I’m playing Taylors, a T5 and a 314CE.
My guitar is an Almira entry level classic guitar
Martin D18 239599 1967
Martin special D . Good so far but I’ve been playing (sort of) for a few years.
Seagull M6 pro set up
Gibson D 45 Adirondack red spruce vintage bracing. Pro said, Needed minimum adjustment
Epiphone EJ200 Pro set up
Fender Squier Strat Pro setup
Gibson Les Paul supreme (lives in a display case)
Listed
Lost me on day 2. I’d love to learn from you but it’s over my head. I know several chords and can get through songs but I don’t know the fretboard and you’re going too fast. Speaking of- I’m on an iPad, I don’t have a computer, and the Learn and Play buttons don’t appear as you’re describing. Also, the tab button doesn’t show tablature, it only shows subtitles options ( like closed caption etc). I don’t read tab but was hoping to learn it. Is this program not set up for iPads? Will I be able to see the 5 free lessons even after the 5 days are over? I can’t do it in 5 days. Thanks for any help you may provide.
Terada C-310 circa 1981 although google says it must be a TC-310. It replaced a South American guitar I got in Corvallis Oregon shop when I was in college in about 1974. An airline baggage system crushed the body and settled with me for about $150, about double what I paid for the South American guitar. It sounded similar and is a good guitar but it never matched the resonance of my oldguitar.
Sorry need to add that due to things happening at home my time is wacko! Like today for example still going back to previous days not sure if that’s good?
Also I believe Tony is an excellent teacher! Easy voice to follow!! I tried to number the strings to help me not sure I should’ve done that!!?? So I will not give up always wanted to learn!! Beginner level learning the lingo and little slow!! Thanks for all u do Tony great site!!
Playing a Glen Burton electric just starting little heavy. Love to learn!!
Hello I’m a day behind. I’m playing a Gretsch 2210 streamliner and enjoying the lessons so far. I go to a guitar group in a community centre and we play songs, I’m a slow learner and I feel a bit stuck so I thought I’d try something different, thanks
I came into this with minimal guitar skills. Played scale notes and chords on the first 3 frets. Day 1 I am expected to know hammer? Day 2 finger pluck a note from a fret? Do a slide? The sales pitch for this course said it was designed for anyone, even a novice. Very misleading.
I’ve been playing an early 1990 Takamine left hand dreadnaught something or other but I just picked up a Taylor 112 ce lh because it feels better for my smaller hands.
Playing a Renaissance FG710B. Korean made. New strings make a big difference
I play a Taylor. I am enjoying these challenges.
Currently playing a Tele
I’m playing a custom self built guitar based on the Celt model from Blackwood Guitars in Canada.
Gs mini koa love it. Had it for nearly 5 yrs now
Martin 000–15
I’m playing a new guitar as of a couple days ago. My first really nice acoustic – a Martin O’ahu HG28. Love love love
Hey Tony, Today I got it pretty well. Fingers are out of shape and now a bit sore. I play a Yamaha FG800.