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
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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.
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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.
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