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.
Playing the 5th guitar that I’ve built, a 16inch archtop. I’m better at woodworking than playing guitar 🙂
I am playing a 1980 Hohner HG720 that I purchased new. in 1980….yeah I am old 70 but I have my eye on a Taylor 200ce-N. I have a Fender American Telecaster and a Les Paul studio as well. I joined your 30 day jump start challenge to hopefully go from guitar collector to guitar Player. I am really enjoying this so far.
Thank You
Guitar – Epiphone Les Pal Modern Pro, gold
A Yamaha FG730S. My goal is to get good enough I treat myself to a J45.
This is a mighty fine lesson you have going here. I’m a 68 year old who has been noodling along for years and find this very helpful. I’m playing on a Gretsch Roots Collection Acoustic.
I am playing an epiphone J200EC Tony
im playing an old nova about 25 years old now
I bought a stadium st d42 in case Ivdidn’t follow through at least I didn’t spend much, then someone gave me a beautifu Astrea AS 820 cedar, I alternate and play both. They sound differet but both sound good. Got them both professionally set up.
Yamaha FG800m
Yamaha FG800J
Fender Squier Strat
I’m playing Luna acoustic/electric guitar.
Yamaha FG-75
Washburn, WA90CET I just got. I have no ideal about anything but I’m trying that’s my first step.
It’s coming slow really slow but I don’t give up easily. Staying positive
Art and Lutherie (25 years old)
Horner
1960’s Framus Texan, could use a better set up, some of my notes don’t match yours exactly even though in tune with my snark. Having some trouble matching your cross picking as well , keep sliding in to sweep picking instead of up strokes. switching to a different one for tomorrow. This is a good building technique.
IM starting on a Mitchell MD100
It would be helpful if u put the up and down arrows on the tab sheet.. I play a Martin 000-28.
I have a baby Taylor. I’m really struggling to follow along I can’t see your fingers well enough to do it and you are going way too fast. Is there a diagram of what you are doing? I’m not a complete beginner, but I just can’t follow along …
I’m 71, returning to my Martin 000M Auditorium Mahogany that I bought in 2002. It has not been played regularly in at least 15 years. It’s a struggle, but I’m here. I also have a lovely yellow electric guitar that my children gave me for Christmas 2 years ago. I can play I shall Be Released on it. 🙂
Played some electric guitar in high school. Getting back into it since I retired. For this im playing a 1993 Yamaha fg-411S or a Fesley LP electric.
I am returning after 40 years downtime! Now 64! I have a gogeous Lindo electro acoystic in deep shade of striated purle. I’m growing into it! Its very shapely and i call it my purple lady!!! S’gorgeous!!!
Fonseca 40KM classic/nylon
I have a Yamaha FG 800 acoustic has a nice smooth sound to it
Playing a Yamaha FGX800C Electric/Acoustic awesome sounding guitar.
Playing a Taylor American Dream, Grand Auditorium, AD24ce. I have enjoyed this model, looks nice, sounds great!
I’m using an Ibanez V-500 accoustic.
Fender Redondo
Hi my guitar that I am using is electric evh Wolfgang standard, I have never played guitar before in my life so even holding a guitar in my hands feels strange to me . This is going to take me more then 5 days to complete this but not going to give up , and then see where it takes me
Fender Stratocaster with maple neck and Fender Gold Lace pickups. Not acoustic but plays like butter. I’m 70 trying to get back into a steady learning and playing routine
Tony, My time is scarce, and I am having a hard time with this, but I will keep trying to get these 5 days down if the are available for replay. Then if I feel good about that, I will continue on this guitar with more lessons. I have been unrelentingly busy. Especially, for the last 6 years . Trying to get ten minutes in a day is hard, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel, yet. The kinda funny part is that I have been retired for the last three and a quarter years, and have almost never had much time for myself. Don’t retire! When I can see that light, I welcome your recommendation on a certain style of guitar that is inexpensive and one that you think might be more suitable for me.
My guitar is a Galvador Ibanez Classical Cutaway with Pick up
Hey Tony! I am 57 and returning to guitar after 12 years and a variety of lessons and learning styles. I am playing a Breedlove AC25-SR Plus that I bought when I turned 40 and wanted to learn how to play guitar.
Hi Tony – I am playing the only guitar I’ve ever owned. It was given to me as a birthday gift by my ex-wife back in about 1978 or so. It is a Takamine 12-string. It has always had an extremely rich tone and is in excellent shape.
Hey Tony. I’m a 60 year old beginner. I am playing my sons Martin 000-1 guitar. Sounds good!
Hi Tony – I started Christmas day – bought an orangewood oliver mini – looking for my real first guitar – i purchased a taylor 114 this weekend, but i may need to trade it for a smaller 112.
1978 Ovation Classic. Coming from finger picking style. No pick. Tableture, but different than music notes. On a notebook lined paper each line would represent a string on the guitar. Thumb and next 2 fingers only. Playing with a pick. is your right hand anchored to the guitar by a your little finger.
A Yamaha Classical, CG 102. It had a great sound for the price, though I wonder whether not having a standard Western guitar is a problem. Certainly lots more space between the strings on a classical.
I signed up for the challenge but seeing the first video I’m thinking this was not the right start for me due to I have never played before. I wanted to learn but thought I would learn the basics to starting ?
Not sure and hope this makes sense
Day 2…measure where middle finger goes to the 4th fret of the G string, pick it and come off. Now we go pick a G with the ring finger on 5th fret of the D string, which makes a G note then pick the open G string. My question…why not do that whole thing on the G string alone. It’s all the same. Why go up to the D string to make a G note? Seems to make it more difficult than it needs to be. Am I wrong?
Yamaha FS800, first guitar. I’m a beginning beginner so the lessons are challenging. Finally got through the first measure at 0.5 speed!! 10 minutes is out the window!! It takes me 10 minutes to figure out where the 4th fret of the g string is !!
Yamaha LL26. Just upgraded from a Yamaha FD01. I had the same experience as Tony with the FD01. It was almost unplayable but I thought it was me. When I took it in to have the strings replaced the guy at the shop set it up and it made a word of difference.
I’m playing a Yamaha F370, only 2 days in, but my fingers feel a little bruised.
No pain, no gain, right?
I’m using a Yamaha FG800 Had it set up and love it just not good yet.
Playing on my first guitar – a Fender CD-60
Hi Tony. I am loving the lessons. Thank you!
When my hubby found me watching numerous videos on how to play the guitar he researched the best inexpensive guitar for beginners. The Yamaha FG800 came up most frequently. He bought it for me for Christmas in 2017. It has a great sound. I love how the chords ring out. I have an Ovation AE guitar too but my Yamaha is my go-to 90% of the time. I am hoping to someday have a Martin or Taylor but want to be able say as least that I am an intermediate guitarist and playing in front of people before investing a lot of money into a better guitar.
Thank you for the 5-day challenge and lessons. Everything makes more sense to me.
Just purchased my third acoustic. Taylor 412ce
Well I found lesson one difficult but the first meassure of lesson two went not bad, wasn’t thinking as much about finger placement. The rest, well I’m working on it. I’m playing Seagull S6 Cedar accoustic.
Martin 000-16GT Gloss Top Auditorium… it’s beautiful! Enjoyed todays lick!