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’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.
Eastman PCH2OM, Sitka spruce/ Rosewood
Playing a Yamaha LL6 for practice but have a Taylor 354ce 12 string I hope to move to as I get better.
Tony I have a Taylor.
I am on an apple iPad. I cant access any of the tabs you’re talking about. Can anyone help me?
Heather
Hey Tony,
I am playing a Taylor 214 dreadknot.my biggest challenge is my sausages and consistency.
Taylor 214
Hi there,
I don’t have a D-45, but I do have a Martin, it’s a DX-1
Today I’m playing my Martin OM-30 DB Pat Donohue Signature, Circa 2008, EIR w/ Adi top. My second guitar is a Martin Custom 00 DB, East Indian Rosewood w/ Adi top as well. Both beautiful guitars, needing a better player, but I’m the one, so here I am.
Thanks for this 5 day challenge.
Cheers, Bo
Martin DM
Gretsch Rancher Penguin
I’’m playing a BCP, from China. I bought it last month on marketplace.
Yamaha FG830 I bought a year ago, and also a late ’70’s Sigma.
Gibson, hummingbird
Yamaha FS830
Blueridge BR-143CE and a Martin Custom 000-15M
Gretsch boxcar..and Yamaha F310 and there is also an older looking Tagima
Yamaha C-60A
Spoiled for choice after nearly 3 years of being completely unable to play which resulted in me going down the gear acquisition rabbit hole.
I currently have an issue with my Ibanez AEL20E Electro Acoustic which I have set aside to repair so I’ve been cheating kinda by alternating between my all black Yamaha Pacifica 112VMX (my first and most often picked up guitar) and a Chinese replica Jimmy Page Dragon Telecaster (just coz I love the artwork although setting it up is still an ongoing work in progress – cheap Chinese tuners that need replacing hence the Ibanez is still awaiting repair). I am playing both unplugged.
However, since the Ibanez is out of action I’m considering switching over to my Epiphone ES335NA to give me a more acoustic sound unplugged while doing this course although it could also do with a bit of a set-up tweak as the intonation is slightly out.
Takamine G-Series
Hi,
I’m on a mid eighties Fender Gemini II dreadnought. It’s got a great tone but the action is quite fierce! (I’ve got some lighter strings on order so’s I can give my fingers a little relief).
It’s not very forgiving of misplaced fingers so I really have to work to avoid any buzzing!
I’m playing a Martin Custom D rosewood/spruce. Probably made for Guitar Center or Musicians Friend.
Taylor GS mini
Alvarez Regent Gifted to me from my son in law
Martin D28. Started out with a circa 1968 Yamaha 12-string. Been a long journey!
I have a couple but my go to is a Tanglewood SFC-e something
It just does it for me
Tony,
I am playing mid 70s Yamaha FG 200 I got for Christmas when I was 15. Dabbled for about 15 years and never really got anywhere. You have motivated me (at 64) to pick it back up. I’m very excited about the journey from here.
Tony did a year on the Tac 3-4 years ago made great progress appeared on the guitar arsenal got the t shirts since did an open mic managed two songs on the third could not stop nervously shaking. i play these three songs each time i pick up the guitar (sad ha) got a Taylor 520e and i love it, can fingerpick a little. Find it hard using a pick on the tabs how does it indicate up or down stroke?
craming in the 5 days instructions yesterday and today. will sign up later
Taylor 814-CE
YamahaCG150CA
I’m playing on a Martin, and I absolutely love the way it sounds! I waited way to long in my life to get it! And yes, it brings me tons of joy playing it.
Randy Jackson American tribute
Tony, I have a Alvarez Acoustic/Electric and an older Yamaha Acoustic.
Inherited 2 Martins; a 1962 D-28 and a 2014 custom 45S, madagascar rosewood that has rarely been out of the case. I’m 69 and just starting to play to honor my uncle’s memory, playing the D28. Hope to sell the 45S.
All better than I am! A Martin OO-28 Modern Deluxe, Collings OM-1 Pete Huttlinger signature, and a 1992 Breedlove CM/R 12 string
I’ve got an Epiphore Wildcat Royale semi acoustic, but only use it as an acoustic. I still can’t get lesson 2 as I can’t make out which strings you’re playing