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.
Alvarez Laureate LF70Le. I had Sweetwater setup and pleck pro fret adjustment. This guitar has the sound and feel I like. I feel the setup has enhanced my early learning experience.
I have a lefty Taylor 914 and a ‘few’ others.
I’m playing an old Jasmine acoustic that I bought off Craigslist for $50 No idea how old it is. The guy I bought it from looked like he might have been an addict, and the guitar itself looks like it might have come in contact with something acidic (finish gone in some areas), but the tone is very rich and it stays in tune,
I’m playing a 2003 Takamine, was actually made by Taylor…
Recently had a complete fret job, has never played better…
I started out playing an Epiphone dreadnought. After a few months I had to admit that the guitar was absolutely too big for me. My right shoulder hurt. I’m 5’3″ and weigh 113 pounds. I did some research and bought a Taylor GS MINI Rosewood with spruce top and rosewood back and sides. I hesitated because it was not exactly a “full-size” guitar. But it was perfect for my size and has a beautiful sound, and now I play in complete comfort.
hi Tony, thanks for the challenge, i’m 67 and wanted to play guitar my whole life. now i’m retired and have more time i started playing 6 weeks ago and want to feel like im getting somewhere besides practicing chords and changes every day. i enjoy practicing but feel like something is missing and this might be it. i have a Takamine GS New Yorker which is set up nicely and joy to play.
I am playing my husband’s Conn model C-11 classical guitar. It has a nice sound but is kind of difficult for me to navigate the wide neck. I am adjusting though.
Just bought a used Yamaha FG830 to take up playing.
Playing a 1976 Giannini Acoustic
Hi Tony that’s a nice lick and like the idea of using it with the G chord. My guitar is a Taylor AD e
Getting back into it after a number of years.
I remembered quickly that I needed to trim the nails on my fret hand!
I play a 1993 Gibson J-100 Xrtra. It belonged to my brother from 1993 to 2018 when he passed. He was an incredibly gifted musician and instilled in me the love for the Grateful Dead (thank you for the first lesson song choice!). When he passed suddenly, I inherited his guitar and knew it needed to make music again because this guitar is part of his soul! When I realized that I could never part from this guitar I had to learn to play so it would make music again! I will never scratch the surface of ability my brother shared with this world, but I am doing my best to have this Gibson play on! Thanks for helping me along my journey!
Fender DG21S Nat
I play a classical guitar from solid ceder with cutout, hand made by an old man from the neighbouring town here in Mexico.
In my old home in Europe I have an Alhambra beginner’s guitar that I love and I’m still trying to get over here.
Hello, Dana Here. I am already a member of Tony’s AC. I like it but I haven’t been as disciplined as I would like, yet. Still messing with Instagram lessons. I have friends that are musicians and can’t wait to get far enough along to ask them intelligent questions. I am playing a Martin D M. I have been playing a handful of chords for decades but didn’t know what chords they were. I’m 75 and almost retired. Getting better at guitar and golf are in my sights. My success so for is #1, I now have callouses, I know dozens of chords and can move from one to another, and i am soaking up lots of information about how and why things work. I suspect that I’m listening wrong but I’m patient and I’ll get through it. Thank you Tony
I play an Ibanez PF15ECE. It is an entry level guitar. I had it set up and it seems to play pretty well. The guitar tech at the local shop told me that it required fewer adjustments than most of the new guitars he has set up. I am making myself wait to move up to a nicer instrument until I can play a lot better.
Hello I am David, playing guitar for along time only on my own and know realize it’s hard breaking old (not so good) styles.
I play Norman guitars as well I really like your way of teaching guitar.
Kronbauer TnT. Sister to the Canadian made Thompson guitar.
Breedlove Pursuit EX Concert. Its an import but it looks great, and it sounds pretty good.
I am playing a Martin Dreadnaught Jr. But I have a nice assortment of other Martins as well. After watching a ton of Acoustic Tuesdays, I’ve finally tried your free 5-day lesson and am enjoying it. Thanks
I’m playing a $100.00 Keith Urban.
Martin D16E.
Hi Toni,
Thanks a lot for the lesson! I really like this five-skill method. I used to naturally value some of these skills less than others—like rhythm—without realizing they’re skills in their own right. Isolating them has been eye-opening and shows how much improvement is possible.
I have two questions:
1. I tried to sign up for the course the other day and entered my credit card details, but the payment didn’t go through. I’m using a regular Mastercard from Germany. Is the payment restricted to certain regions, or should it work internationally?
2. Will the course get more challenging as it goes on, or is it designed to stay at one level? I’d consider myself a bit more advanced, so I’m curious about the progression.
Thanks again!
Hi Farah, It looks like you also reached out to us in the Support Dept. We can assist you from there. 🙂
Hello everyone.
I’m playing a Martin X Series Special. Needs setup but will have to do until finished with this one week challenge. . . . .
Gibson Advanced Jumbo picked up at CME during Fretboard Summit.
Martin OM 28E
I actually bought it because it fits me well. My original intent was to learn finger picking but haven’t had the ability to focus. Everything takes slow learning and attention and I just want to play songs. I am not fast at these exercises. And I seem to hit extra notes. My pull offs do not sound strong. I don’t know how to do them well.
I’m using a Kay KCL 380 from the mid 70s or early 80s. We’re both terrible.
Hi Tony. I am playing a Yamaha FG830. I’d been playing harmonic for about 45 years. Started playing bass, baritone uke, and tenor four string four years ago. His and tenor tuned DGBE. Just getting into the six string this week with your free challenge. I really appreciate your teaching style and I feel I’m making good progress so far. Than!s, Micah.
Gibson 1983 j-45
I’m playing my brand new, just received today, “Orangewood (Mahogany) Morgan Live”.
I also own an “Ovation Custom Legend”, that I’ve had for close to 50 years.
I quit playing around 20 years ago, due to arthritis, and trigger finger in my middle finger of both hands (left hand is worse), but about 5 weeks ago i decided I’m playing again. Calluses are coming along nicely. Fingers don’t want to cooperate, but they’re not the boss of me! 😉
Watching your videos on the Tube, you said something that helped me tremendously… “Don’t practice, have fun!
Your Epiphone story reminded me of my first guitar. A Silvertone from Sears & Roebuck, The action was awful, but I didn’t know any better.
I’m playing- if you can call it that, a Cort AD 870…. It was my dads.
Shawn- in Dickinson, ND
I am playing a Mexican Martin, X series 00 size. Had it about a month.
Taylor 214cedlx
I took your advice and bought a Bristol BD 16 guitar. Plays like a dream and sounds rich and full. I am loving it.
Playing a Gibson j-35. Love it
I’m playing a Big Lous wide nut electric strat style.
AGAIN VERY GOOD..WILL PRACTICE…
I’m playing a Fender F-15 acoustic. I purchased it when I was… 17. It’s a small-body guitar, plays really well. I’ve had the neck set twice over the years, and swap out the strings out when… they lose their brilliance.
Pinch your nose and make an “ewwww” face, Indiana Scout SCA-N that’s one of six similar Indys I’ve purchased off eBay, mostly from goodwill / salvation army stores, all for around $100 shipped. This one had the bridge lifting so I removed and re-set it and then gave it a new nut and full setup. Same as 4 of the other 5. One had a broken headstock. Most have needed a new nut. I fixed them all (luthiery is the main reason I’m a guitar dabbler). I handed the previous acquisition (a blackie with a broken headstock) to a friend who owns several pre-war Martins and enough Ovations to pay my mortgage off twice, and he couldn’t believe it was a Chinese production guitar.
I’m quite proud of owning and using guitars that would otherwise be occupying a landfill. I own two name brand guitars – an EVH WG Standard and an Ovation Applause. They’re easily identifiable on my wall as the ones with the thickest covering of dust.
Tony I have some comments / suggestions I’m sending to your email.
I am playing a ZIM-GAR electric guitar
I’m playing a Washburn R320SWR Vintage Parlor Guitar, and I’m fingerpicking the lessons, which feels more comfortable to me. Still maintaining the down, up patterns.
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