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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After the 30-Day Jumpstart, keep improving—one fun, daily guitar session at a time.
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!
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