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.
I play a beat up old Fender FA-100 that I bought at a yard sale for $20.
It’s scratched and ugly, but it’s mine.
I’m playing a Taylor 214ce plus my little brother gave me
I’m playing a Taylor 814 cutaway. I’m a beginner and I’m honestly finding this 5 day challenge to be difficult. It took me the first day and the second day just to get decent with the first day challenge. I’m watching the second day challenge on the 3rd day…. seems overwhelmingly challenging. I’ll keep plugging away but just giving you some feedback…
Yamaha G-235. It’s a classical guitar from the 80s. I got it for free from a friend a had stopped playing. According to the internet it’s not a bad guitar. I recently changed the cords and it sounds much better now.
Chinese fender
Breedlove Concertina -full myrtle-wood – made in Bend, Oregon (I’m from Bend)
How do you tell when to stroke up or down when looking at the tab?
I play a Sigma.
I am playing a Zager, ZAD50CE/VS, Sunburst. I got the guitar in July 2025. It is very easy on the fingers and has big voice. Solid Spruce top and Mahogany back and sides. I have changed the strings to D”Addario XS, 11-52. These string seem to stay cleaner than the Zager EZ-Play’s that came on the instrument, it’s very nice for a mid range (priced) guitar.
I’m playing on a Taylor AD14 50th anniversary sunburst. It’s my first full-size guitar and I love it.
Taylor GS Mini
Playing a Taylor 224 cek-Dlx
It’s great. Thank you a lot!
I am playing a Taylor D410.
I have a Yamaha C40 classical guitar. I did play a bit years ago and it was always something I was going to revisit, but never did. I’m enjoying this taster, although I find I get it best when I read the music sheet. Thank you
My guitar is a Taylor GS Mini (Spruce top). Pretty good sound for the size!
My electric guitar is an Epiphone E444T Granada #36393 that my husband received for Christmas in approximately 1965. He never played the guitar the whole time I knew him, and it sat in the back of his closet. When he passed away, I decided to sell his guitar and I purchased my Martin X-Series special. When I went to a local guitar repair shop to sell the Epiphone, the owner talked me into keeping it, at least for a while. He became my guitar teacher and I am so grateful he talked me into keeping that guitar. Now I play both the Epiphone and the Martin, depending on the mood.
I’m looking forward to reading what others have and hopefully hearing the stories behind them.
Orangewood Rey
I’m playing a Yamaha APX600
Fender Acoustic guitar
I’m playing on a new Epiphone.
I’m playing an old beat up Baby Taylor that my brother, who has now passed, found in a dumpster, repaired and breathed new life into. He had several really nice guitars but I’m just thankful that he gave me one of them.
I play an inexpensive Ibanez semi-acoustic.
I play a Taylor 412-CE and an Alvarez 5025 SLM
I play a Taylor 514ce
1974 Martin D35
Ibanez acoustic
Yamaha silent guitar slg200n nylon string
My (first guitar) acoustic-electric is a Breedlove Exotic S CE, grand auditorium size I believe.
This Day-2 Lick session was much harder for me than yesterday’s. After a half hour I still never got it 100% correct even at a slower speed. Started to get a little frustrated so that triggered to me it was time to stop.. Must be the guitar…time to sell it! 🙂
I have a Fender Stratocaster (with steel strings I guess) that I’m renting. Fun! I also want to try a Les Paul sometime.
playing an Eastman AC412
I usually play nylon string guitars for South American folk music, but for these lessons and for acoustic jams I play a Martin 000c Jr. Thank you for these lessons!
I have a Taylor Grand Pacific Dreadnought guitar. Used to play 15 years ago for church. Very basic just chords. Planning to play over the summer at church again. Need to upgrade my playing to sound better. I’m 77 years old, play piano and keyboard, contemporary Christian songs.
I’m playing my mom’s old 1970s Ensenada classical guitar. (took it to a shop for new strings and a tune up) As a frequent dabbler (and leaver) of all kinds of hobbies, told myself I had to learn with what I’ve got before I spend any money on a new thingie. Thank you so much for this challenge, it really works with my brain. It’s kinda hard for me, but it’s engaging and manageable.
i am playing a fender cp-100 parlor small-body acoustic guitar.
Ibanez AEWC32FM
I’m really digging the challenge so far. I’m a returning player after a 20+ year break. I had to restart my collection. I’m currently doing the challenge on an Ibanez Talman Acoustic-Electric. I also have an I Chong Purple Haze Electric I just got, but I’ve been doing everything so far on the acoustic.
Yamaha CG 162S, Classical
I am using a baby Taylor for this. I have a full size Taylor for bashing out chords.
Martin SC13e
I’m playing a Tiger, which I believe is just a local Thai brand over here in Thailand where I am located
My Guitar is a Little Martin.
Fender
Playing a PRS Angelus A60E
I’m paying a Taylor Koa
I’m playing a small body Martin Smith
I’m playing a Regal resonator guitar.
Seagull S6 Collection 1982 dreadnaught which is a replica of the Seagull S6 I bought as my beginner guitar in 1999. Took traditional lessons on that guitar for 4 years and we parted ways unfortunately. I saw this guitar on Sweetwater and my youth was calling me back. After 20 years of all career and no guitar, I’m back to playing. Got a streak going of 33 days, scared to death of quitting again, but it feels good this time. Having a blast. And now that I found Tony, my optimism has skyrocketed.
80’s vintage Alvarez Yairi CY-118 (classical), cedar w/ east indian rosewook back and sides,
Tony yes, your delivery is spot on,explanations easy to follow. My problem is with the fret hand could not even press down on yesterdays challenge, today I went and worked for a half hour on just trying to pick my way down the strings in the pattern you demonstrated. The guitar I’m using has the markings of the letters GK on the headstock. I’m 75 and want to achieve this to help pass the time during winter months when snowed in. This five day challenge is my hope to learn enough to feel I can progress to entertaining myself.