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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30 DAY JUMPSTART
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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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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.
Hi Tony. I’m doing this course on a classical guitar finger picking. Never been good with a pic. This is a good time to try, but very slow at learning. I played for a few years a while ago until I got a serious cut on a finger and had no choice but to quit. I’m taking your challenges on a tablet. I’m used to tab, but I don’t have the icon for, it that you say I should. I can adjust the speed and the closed captions. That’s all. Is it possible for me to get the tabs from your website or somewhere else? This way I can learn on my own time in the later evenings without having to use the video. I had to play your first video challenge over a dozen times in order for me to pick up on everything. That is why I’m hoping to get the tabs.
really enjoying this intro. Hard work but hey I wasn’t expecting anything else. I’m playing a Harmony Sovereign H6560 which I took over from my brother in 2020 when he died of heart failure. It sat leaning against the wall until Jan 1 when I decided to do something about playing it.
Alvarez RD10. A gift from a good friend.
Im playing a Peavey DW-3
I am playing on an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson J-45. I have a Fender DG-20S and a Martin D-45 Clone, but I am really enjoying playing on my J-45
After I few times successfully playing the lick, I started trying to play it with my eyes closed (with mixed but improving results).
Martin X-Series special.
Your tempo is inconsistent during your demonstrations, which is making it hard to learn.
Takamine Jasmine S35QA
Yamaha F335
Fender CD60S Dread – light strings. Lefty.
Yamaha APX600: small bodied like me.
Yamaha APX500 III
Playing a Taylor mini gs
Wow it took awhile to learn this but I got it pretty well figured out I think Iam just a beginner at 68 years old. Challenging for me anyways.
I picked up an Ibanez PF4-NT-14-01 for my first guitar
An old Yamaha, probable 1970’s
Playing an Orangewood Sage Mahogany that I picked up right before the prices jumped due to the tariffs. One of the rare occasions my timing was right.
Playing (well, attempting to play!) a Martin CEO-7 (#27) that I acquired years ago, and am ashamed to say it’s been collecting dust in between monthly “noodling for 30 minutes and give up” sessions. Hopefully your challenge will be the inspiration to play on. Thanks!
Today I’m playing my Taylor GS Mini Koa E. I also have a Taylor 326 CE, but it needs new strings, and I’ve been lazy. When I feel electric, I get out my Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT.
Hi Tony,
Just picked up a Orange1979wood Morgan Live. Wanted to have another acoustic guitar after giving my 1979 Fender to my son. I have always be the dabbler and after seeing your channel, I decided to take your 5 day challenge. Think I am going to like it!
Thanks!!
I have a Taylor GS mini and a Conn F9 .
I’m playing the GS mini for these lessons
Hi Tony.
I am playing with an Ibanez af75-bs
A bit more challenging for me today, but practice for ten minutes….I play a Martin DC 16.
Yamaha FG800 — my first —
1970 Greco acoustic
Lol, I love that you started with an Epiphone. I went to the second hand store last Saturday, in preparation for my upcoming lessons, to pick up a baby Taylor I had seen on FB marketplace, it was 500 bucks. I know how to strum about four chords on the guitar so I picked up the Taylor, strummed a couple chords only to realize the guitar was completely out of tune of course. I tuned her up and strummed the 4 chords I knew only to discover I wasn’t in love with the guitar. I continued to look around and came across this sun burst Epiphone that looked so much like my dad’s 1961 Gibson he had played when I was a kid. Anyway, I fell in love with the $199 Epiphone, really because the Epiphone reminded me so much of my father, who was a great guitar player I might add. I have such fond memories of my dad jamming with three or four of his buddies all on guitar, playing in our living room when I was just a kid. So as I’m sure you can imagine, I am completely in love with this $199 Epiphone, which I’m sure my dad helped me pick out. I’m 64 years old and hoping I’ll be able to strum along with my dad and his angel buddies someday.
Thanks so much for your gracious offer to learn how to play guitar.
DAY TWO, Let’s go!
I have a Yamaha JR2. I bought this because of my size and being a beginner. I also didn’t have a lot of finances to work with.
I’m playing a Ventura that I bought from my cousin at his shop. I recently had it set up but I’m not happy with the setup. I still get fretbuzz
Fender CC-60S Concert
Yamaha FG-410
Sigma OMM-4
Alvarez CY-116
Playing a Yamaha FGX800SC
I’m playing a Yamaha FG-340 that I bought in 1978-79, high school. The expectation was, if I buy it, I will learn to play it and now, 45 years later, that’s still the plan! I’ve always loved to sing and I played the trumpet in high school band but want to be able to play and sing so here I am!
For this course I’m playing a Washburn Wa45ce, but as I´m from Argentina I also have a spanish La Alpujarra 80M
I am playi g a Takimine
I have an Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar. Can an electric be used in TAC?
Yamaha FS330
Playing a acoustic ayers made by Gerard Gilet aus
LAG Tremontane T170D cedar top my newest, the old standby is a 1974 Fender F65
Zeny I believe
I play a Yamaha FG700SM
Yamaha FG401. It takes a lot of repitition to memorize this lick. So I don’t think I could ever memorize it. I don’t know how you can retain it unless you play it every day. Definitely challenging!
Alvarez rd26
A Wechter TO-8428, spruce top and rosewood back with mahogany neck. Great to play with a lovely sound … And I agree with Alan (Jan 26) about the up and down strokes. It would be good to be able to have them included on the tab or be able to print them out so we can add them if we want. But: love your work Tony!
Ovation Celebrity. My biggest challenge overall is fat fingers…today was a bit tough trying to remember it all.
For this course I’m playing a Yamaha APX600. Professionally set up. Easy to play, and sounds sweet. Robert
Ibanez pc5nt
Heather, look to the far right of the words LEARN and PLAY. You’ll see a little symbol that has tiny lettering TAB next to it. That worked for me.