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
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.
For me, this lesson was a small step towards my goal to learn to improvise solos over chords. Although I’m familiar with the pentatonic scale, the idea of moving between the vertical pentatonic scale & the horizontal scale was particularly helpful; doing the scale horizontally was a new technique to add to my knowledge. Today’s lesson was much appreciated. Although the G major pentatonic notes fit with the chords being played, I’d like to learn which notes fit better when the chord changes.
That’s fun!
My win today was getting back to the TAC after a busy week last week, when I was only able to get to the first 2 days. Looking forward to completing the challenge on Wednesday!
I CAN sound good!!
17 minutes of video leaves little time to play. i am looking
You can always play while he’s talking. Kind of a warm up and when the lesson begins, you are ahead of the game.
Weirdly been stuck in pentatonic vertical scales and was pleasantly surprised when you did the horizontal scale. Kind of a lightbulb moment for opening up the fretboard. Thanks!
The small win was that, even though it was late in the day, the lesson got me to do a bit of practice. Thanks
I actually got a compliment from my wife. She said I sounded good. That was a first
Still stumbling down the cobblestones like a drunken coed in Fells Point…
Haven’t managed to fall down yet.
Day three. Actually looking forward to tomorrow’s challenge.
Day two was kickin’ my ass for a while but I think with a little more work, I’ll get it.
Speaking of work… Gotta go.
I’m playing t o really nice guitars. One is the Andrew White Cybele and the other the is a Zager Travel guitar. I have had health issues which has resulted in some nerve issues. The smaller guitar makes playing a lot easier. I played simple accompaniment for church music and I so much want to play up the neck.
This is fun! I took me a minute to get my guitar in tune with the sound on my computer, but I was able to play along and it sounded pretty good. Thank you!
That was fun! I’ve always considered myself a rhythm guitar player who hammered a few notes. I was always mad at my childhood self who never practiced scales. But learning a scale and then knowing that all those notes would work in a solo over that chord change was eye opening. Of course now I want to know the theory of why the Pentatonic works with G C and D
That’s a great rhythm to use for all kinds of soloing, including the five shapes of the pentatonic scale.
My small win is I’m using a pick! Hate it, but I’m doing it!
I’ve just found out the total cost for the online course and it is, unfortunately, beyond my means.
So reluctantly I’m going to say goodbye at this point, but good luck!
gbriers0@optusnet.com.au. Had fun with this.I will need to improve my timing and accuracy but so far so good.
Awesome…I did it! Sometimes I picked the wrong strings but I kept going. I’m not used to a pick but only one way to get better. But what if I’m not playing in G? If I play in C do I have to memorize a whole new scale?
Yes, I did not think I would play that solo when you first played it. I persevered and did better than I thought. Thank you. Good job.
No small win for me today – other than picking up my guitar. I feel so far behind. I couldn’t start on Monday so I started Tuesday and I think this 5 day challenge will be taking me 10 days. But I’m not giving up.
I think not giving up is a big win!
My small win on day 3 was keeping time with you on the video. I’m curious about finding the right pick angle to simplify alternate picking. I’m going to watch your video for a while now. I’m looking forward to day 4.
This was so fun! You’re an amazing teacher Tony! I’m a 30 year beginner and I finally feel like I’m learning something. Chord transitions are cake but all the scales and licks are challenging for me. I heard yesterday’s lesson and I’m like, no way. I’ll never sound like that. But I followed the lesson and tabs and my ear, and was able to sound pretty good. I thought I’d forget it overnight but I’d remembered it and could play it by memory. I’m loving the challenge. Thanks for all you do for the guitar community.
Enjoying this one more than the first one I did. Not as much of a stretch.
Thanks
Thank you for helping me to step outside of my box. Typically my daily guitar playing is using an ap and strumming and singing along.
I’m enjoying your challenge for all the reasons I don’t normally play. If this as close to theory as I get, it’s a good thing. You make it and explain it easy!
Oh. My. Goodness. I just played an improvised solo! 🙂 Thank you, Tony for making something that seemed so daunting so truly accessible. Amazing!!!
Thanks Tony! I learned a few things today from you.
I actually think I can do today, not so confident about Day 1 or 2, but today was good.
This has been real fun.
How do I get started?
Do you offer a Veterans Discount ?