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.
Cordoba C5 ckassical
I’m playing a Squier Telecaster Cabronita, I have an acoustic guitar too , maybe pull that one out for tomorrow. I like these bite size lessons, great teaching concept.
Taylor 114ce-S.
Hi
I’m playing a Yamaha FG-365S
I purchased back in 1977
A little high on the action but fun to play
LAG Tramontane T100ACE Stage
Takamine EG340SC we go back a long way
Martin sc-13e
Gretsch G9200 Boxcar Resonator & a 70’s Ibanez Concord Hummingbird
tanglewood ts4ce
Martin DRS2
Taylor 214 CE
I primarily play bass, but for this, I’m playing a Fender Player Plus Telecaster.
I have a Fender DG-11E and an American Legacy AL-100. Both pretty basic and I feel like the strings are too far off the fret board
I am playing a Martin 000-Jr for this lesson. Thanks Tony!
I’m playing a Taylor 50th edition and a Krutz Auditorium Apex, and an Ovation. I have guitars in different rooms to remind me to practice. I know some chords, this lesson is very helpful, I don’t know any licks, riffs and runs.
A fairly basic beginner Yamaha FG800J. Getting back into guitar after a couple of decades gap, so have dropped the string gauge by 2 steps thinner until my fingertips get used to things again. But hoping to upgrade guitar soon! I have gone through a couple of bad life traumas recently , and getting back into guitar has really been helping.
Fender Mahogany CD140SCE purchased a number of years ago! I just love the warm tone!
I have a Nylon Strings Classical Martinez MC-48S CE. I bought it in Madrid when I started taking classes there. My Instructor picked it for me because it was a good beginner guitar and not too expensive. I couldn’t afford a Flamenco guitar, so I got thins one. Later on, I went back to Spain specifically to buy the guitar I wanted, but I won’t play it until I know what I’m doing.. 🙂
Yamaha AC5R or a McPherson Sable
Taylor 214 ce
2025 Fender FA-125 Dreadnought
I can’t get the lesson site to work like you say it’s supposed to. The only way I can see the “learn’ and ‘play’ choices is if I am not in full screen mode. And there is not an option anywhere that let’s me pull up the tabs, or to watch them along side of the video. If I t to PIP it gives me a black screen and a tiny thumbnail view in the upper right corner of your playing the lick and I can barely see how to get back to normal or even half screen size. What do I do about this?
Hi Hether! Please reach out to TAC Support for assistance with this. They will be able to help. Email them at: support@tonypolecastro.com
Yamaha FG-335
I have 2 Blueridge guitars, a BR 183A, and a BR 371. I alternate them every week or two. I am not at all familiar with any of the Greatful Dead songs. So I’ll be interested to compare this learning process vs how I learned other songs that I was very familiar with. You said that there was a way to click on a box in the lower right corner to align the learn and play windows. I don’t have those boxes, not sure if I’m doing something wrong.
Taylor GS5
I have a Sigma classical guitar. I have no idea if it’s a decent guitar but I keep it in tune and it sounds fine to my ears . I did look up the Martin D 45 you mentioned and was impressed by the cost. Thanks for sharing.. I’m enjoying the challenge. Perfect pace for me.
i am playing a silvertone pro seriers CA01 1996 i picked up at a wallmart store here in canada. Surprizingly great tone. less than $100.00 canadian.
I can SOOO not follow this. Even on the slowest speed, my fingers aren’t doing the right thing.
Hi Tony, currently I am playing a Tayor 312V with mahogany back and side. I saw you at the Fretboard Summit this year wanted to say hello. You were busy talking with some people, unfortunately I didn’t see you later. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your Acoustic Tuesday show and am glad to see you back on again! During Covid, I had gotten super sick and then severely depressed. Your podcast Helped inspired me to get back into playing guitar again, Thank you so much!!
I’m playing a Luna guitar! It has three dragonflies for the cutout.
(Fauna Dragonfly Irid Flip Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric)
My favorite is my Martin D35. I also have a Taylor 424 ce Urban Ash liimited, Guild D50 and a Fender American Performer Strat. Nice guitars but not good at playing them.
Fender Newporter (’63 Gibson ES330 stays in the case for now!)
I have a Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Plus. I had this set up by someone and I have extra light Ernie Ball strings which has helped so much.
MONTHS after selling my 1980’s Ibanez AE acoustic electric I had since my USAF Tech school days in 1990 because I rarely played, I decided to pick up a guitar again! My Son let me pick one out for my birthday. I chose the Luna Gypsy Maluhia Peace Concert AE; the design is me all the way. Had it set up (1st time I’ve ever had a guitar set up!) , and I love it! Being a gift from my youngest, a US Marine and crazy good guitar playin’ Son, makes it all the more special. Now we jam together once again…
Spanish Acoustic and a Ovation Deep Body
Martin 00
Taylor GS mini
I’m playing a Taylor 224 koa that I love. Treated myself after playing Washburn Lyon thats string were far off the neck
1954 Martin D28
1996 Taylor 710
Interesting approach Tony, and thought provoking. Thank you.
I have a Vintage V300 Folk Guitar in a natural finish with a solid spruce top – had it a few years now and the sound just gets better.
However, I’m not using that guitar for this but using my Vintage V20 tele copy through a mini Spark Go amp – a lot of fun.
I’m playing a Luna Fauna Dragon that I’ve had for many years. It was set up just this past month.
Seagull Entourage Rustic Cut away. Wife purchased for me without knowing much about them but pretty solid guitar. Fine for my skill level.
I had the same Epiphone in the 70s. Had it set up in the 99s and wore it out. Taylor Custom 224ce-K DLX
I’m playing a 20th anniversary Squier by Fender
Yamaha FG-200
Im playing a Zager too I love this thing
I’m playing a Zager ZAD 50CE
Playing my Yamaha FG-441S that I bought new sometime in the early to mid 90s.
Right now I’m playing a Ibanez nylon string classical guitar. Picked it up at a flee market for fun. A little tough on this lesson because of wide neck & high action but that’s ok. My go to is my Taylor Academy but don’t have that with me right now. Excited to try this lesson on that one though.