TIPS FOR TODAY
If the word “solo” makes you want to hide behind the couch, you’re in the right place.
Improvisation isn’t some advanced skill reserved for guitar wizards — it’s just playing a few good-sounding notes in your own order. Today’s scale is designed so that every note works. There are no “wrong” ones to find.
Your first solos are supposed to feel simple. Simple is how your ear learns what it likes. Simple is how confidence is built. Simple is what unlocks real creativity later.
If your brain taps out on the second pattern, that’s okay — camp out on the first, easy version and just make little phrases you enjoy. That still counts as soloing.
By the end of this session, you didn’t just “try” a solo — you played one.
And that feeling? That’s the spark that keeps people going.
YOUR SAMPLE WEEK OF TONY'S ACOUSTIC CHALLENGE
5-Day "Stop Dabbling, Start Playing Guitar" Challenge
- WED: Improv
- THU: Rhythm
- FRI: Transitions
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3-Steps to Stop Dabbling and Start Playing
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Today I had a little win. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve done a scale solo without feeling self-conscious about not being perfect. Forming phrases helps a lot. I was starting to hear patterns I enjoyed and to try to build on them.
I had fun. I didn’t think I would be able to do it! Thanks.
Got the scales down pretty good but still had a little trouble with the live solo.
My first little win was day 2. I watched the demo and thought “There’s no way I can play that!”. 15 minutes later I was playing it (albeit at half speed)!
I think that all three days has been a win for me. I have actually kept practicing that day’s work until I could do the whole thing through, even though it was slow, I still got it done. nothing is learned in few minutes; it takes time and practice. after this five-day challenge, I can redo the five days and speed it up at my own pace, till I can do it at a decent speed. it’s been a long time since I really played. so, re learning to play is a treat. this five-day challenge is right what I needed.
Best day yet… though slowest speed, but picked it up better than day 1 or 2.
My little win, I actually was able to play along at 1x speed today. After some major practice. The tab is finally starting to make sense with the scale movement up the neck. It was fun to just play around with the scale notes with backing track.
I’m out for a few days as a result of my string breaking. I thought I had left them without tension when I stored it before. Have fun.
I showed up again thanks
Today I played for over an hour And was Encouraged to continue on with this program because of how easy Tony makes it I actually feel like I accomplished something today more than just storming a few chords And I am truly looking forward to the next day’s lesson. Each day I feel more encouraged and begin to feel this will be something I will and can accomplish.
Im a veteran guitar owner but a beginner. I’ve had them in corners for years it was just so hard to learn and “friends” teaching me turns into look what I can do and I give up. My win… I started on a YouTube suggestion if you from a friend and now I am on day three feeling like I’m really playing a little and actually learning. Winner!!!
After watching the video, I realized the vertical scale (G major) you were playing was identical to the E minor scale. I listen to and play mostly blues and am very familiar with minor scale/blues scale. When I played along with the backing track, everything flowed smoothly. That would be a huge win for me today.
It is a lot of fun!
This is the most fun I’ve ever had playing guitar.
No breakthrough today. Played the tabs without listening to the video for about 10 minutes. It was ugly. Listened to the video later today but didn’t play the guitar. Will have to do-over tomorrow.
Today’s win, tried at least to play through the improve scale. I could not find the right speed for me so just did it without it. At least each line at a time.
The vertical one on one string is interesting. But honestly don’t feel comfortable at all since I cannot figure out where I am by “feel”. I know it will come in time. So, will show up again tomorrow.
I think my victory is just coming fay 3 for 3. I have the scale pretty well down but need more time playing with the rhythm section. But for the first time in a long time I’m actually looking forward to playing the guitar consistently.
My breakthrough today was to see the other two links beside the learn link, it made it so much easier to pick up the finger placement. Went back to day two very helpful.
My only win today was that I came back, picked up the guitar and tried. I kind of got the vertical scale slowly, but then my right hand kept hitting the wrong string and it threw me off. I kept missing the correct frets on the horizontal scale. This guitar didn’t come with dots on the frets – they are tiny and not very visible on the side of the neck. I put on sticky dots, which helps, but the down-up stroke between two strings is not natural yet and prone to misfires, which also throws me off. I think I need 1 week of 5 day challenge and then 3 more weeks on working on the first week.
Today’s win was that I didn’t finish Tuesday’s lesson on Tuesday, but I came back to do Tuesday and Wednesday on Wednesday.
My break through moment was seeing the G maj pentatonic scale (aka Em pentatonic scale) played on 1 string. I am so used to playing vertically.
I had fun coming up with a couple underlying melodies to the tune. My ear makes me want to jump ahead a d play more advanced from the lesson but not really landing things I’m cool with musically,YET
Really enjoyed just mucking around with the backing track making it sound actually pretty good. To begin with I just stalled as I’m so used to just following music then it just seemed to click a bit and before I knew it I was making stuff up. Suprised myself!
I like to try a lesson routine like this with a song I’m familiar with. I’ve never heard of this song till now.
Fun fun moving along today! Being able to just flow around with the backing is great. Thanks again Tony!
Today was amazing, it gave me confidence. I struggled a little here and their but enjoyed it. I found the backing track hard. Looking forward to tomorrow.
I was able to play it at 1x speed on the scale tab, but it seemed like i had to play faster than that with the backtrack, almost like 1.5x. Does that sound right?
I have to admit I had my doubts during the learning phase that I’d get it with the backing track. But once i started feeling the music rather than just trying to play in sync, it really started coming together and yeah I would get one part right and botch another, then vice versa, but it did all come together a couple of times and actually sounded good. It was quite fun in the end!
A lot of fun
No breakthroughs, but I do find the videos and format very helpful and enjoyable. Seems like a good value.
Ok that was fun. Back in my 20’s I had a teacher that did this sort of thing with me and the blues scales . He made a back up cassette tape for me yes I sad cassette tape and I would have to play along with it. Once I got over the fear it was fun. I was no BB King but like you said it can sound really great. So my win was having the feeling of being in my 20’s again. I turn 60 in October so thanks for that! This is amazing!
what are the 52 Weekly Lead Domino Songs
After some practice I got the scale down now and it didn’t sound too bad along with the backing track. A victory!
slow but still at it. first time ever trying to play 66 years old
Well that was Fun!
BREAKTHROUGH!
I haven’t touched a guitar since dabbling with some basic chords about twenty years ago so I’m very much a beginner. I have an old Yamaha acoustic that I just restrung and tuned. Day one I spent about an hour working on the drills until my hands couldn’t take it anymore. Day 2 I planned on giving it about a half hour but as I started grasping the lick the skills I thought I wasn’t getting started to click and it started getting fun. I slowed the recording down and took it one section at a time. I spent way more time than I’d anticipated and even got through the lick respectably a few times. The day three scales became a fun drill for hearing and running through the notes. After 3 days I feel inspired and hopeful that this is actually something I can do. Look forward to tomorrow. Thank you!
I’m a complete beginner. So my first two big wins are my left hand is no longer cramping within the first couple of minutes and I’m finally playing more than one or two bars without fat finger muting adjacent strings. Those two things felt impossible day before yesterday.
Got a handle on Monday and tuesday , wed will be Sunday. Takes me a while, but its good when it comes together. Enjoying the method as long as I can work at my own pace.
I need to redo the first part. I did not get it. The second part was not much better for me. I think it will be easy by doing it a few times more. I showed up. I tried.
I finally began to grasp memorization, not just of what the left hand is supposed to be doing, but memorization of the right-hand function at the same time. Today was the first day I felt progress and walked away feeling better.
My small win is actually very big win for me. I am starting to finally feel confident after almost 8 years of trying to learn to play the guitar. Though I am far from feeling adept at playing the lick and the scale, I think it’s doable with a little practice. Another big win. I am having fun doing it. For those who are struggling. Do not give up. With a little hard work and determination, it will get easier. You will be amazed at yourself and glad you stuck with it it.
Hoping the course remains available after friday – I need more than 5 days the way I learn
Its often a bit difficult for me to keep up with your description of the notes you’re playing, but i used the tablature for the first time
and amazingly felt as if i could keep pace with your lesson , well just about anyhow. My small win.
What I came away with today: I’ve always had trouble with memorization, but in my 2nd and 3rd day of this challenge, it seems to verify my suspicions that if I go through the tab first a few times and then try it without the tab, plus going along with your playing; it may help the memorization. If that doesn’t help as much, maybe I will try memorizing first and then verify with the tab and your playing. —- If I can just retain it.
struggling with yesterday’s challenge. I am running a day behind everyone. I just watched this video and am overwhelmed at the moment. I will attack this tomorrow. I am excite dto get into this one though. Hitting it first thing in the morning.
yes , breakthrough!!!
Tony, this is amazing! Learned more in this week than any previous attempts at guitar and it felt good to get this down so quickly and so proficiently! I had a great time playing along with the backtrack and this has helped my confidence a ton! Thank you! So motivated!
I didn’t think I could do this exercise today but I got it figured out not perfect but I got it I think.
Fun to play something that vaguely resemble a song but struggled on the transition back up the strings.
Playing with apick is new to me. I’ve always struggled with thumb middle index. So the past 3 days have shown massive improvement with picking notes.
I have never been able to follow anyone on backing track but slowing speed to .75 I actually kept up with Tony with minor mishaps.
Soloing was fun but questionable.
I don’t know if my wife head but at least she didn’t come into the room laughing.