TIPS FOR TODAY
If your chords are buzzing, your fingertips hurt, or everything feels clumsy — that’s not failure. That’s the normal breaking-in process.
Rhythm guitar asks a lot from your hands: new shapes, new pressure, clean strings, steady strumming. Your fingers simply haven’t built the strength or calluses yet — and they can’t build them without days like this.
Remember the science of motor learning: the goal is not to get each challenge perfect before allowing yourself to move to the next one.
We want regular, imperfect exposure to things just outside our ability.
So don’t chase perfect chords. Chase small wins: one clear note, one smoother switch, one pattern that feels a touch less chaotic than yesterday.
Those micro-improvements stack faster than you think.
Stick with it. Your hands are learning even when it doesn’t look pretty.
YOUR SAMPLE WEEK OF TONY'S ACOUSTIC CHALLENGE
5-Day "Stop Dabbling, Start Playing Guitar" Challenge
- THU: Rhythm
- FRI: Transitions
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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.
In the past, I just could not make logical sense of how the notes and chords where put together. It still makes no logical sense, but I feel your method may help me transcend that by teaching these 5 elements. Also, the mechanics fingering the chords is difficult for me.
I struggle with tonal memory and being able to match notes by ear. Most good musicians I know seem to have very little trouble with it, but after years of attempts I find it nearly impossible to match a note I hear on the guitar. I can reproduce the note if I sing it, so maybe there’s hope.
My dad was such an amazing player, I have found learning for myself Intimidating. Impostor syndrome. I’m left handed and I’ve also used that as an excuse. But really, it’s just been lack of consistency and prolonged effort. This week has been amazing. Thank you.
Tony the video for day 4 challenge is not working. Nothing there. I also can not relook at days 1,2,3. What is going on.
Six strings and stiff fingers! Couldn’t wrap my head around the chord shapes. Picked up a ukulele about two years ago and it clicked somehow.
Coming back to the guitar now is actually a bit easier. Not doing well with the pick though. Much better doing the bass note with my thumb and the eighth note down-up strum with my finger (that’s the uke way). Pushing my comfort zone a bit, but will figure the pick thing out sooner or later.
Have been enjoying these four days for sure. Today was my best.
I first started playing guitar when I was 11. I was enamored with KISS and Def Leppard and wanted to play like them. I had tried playing a little before that and did not have the support. In 6th grade, I took a few lessons and unfortunately had to stop due to the cost. I continued trying to learn and was able to learn a few things from some friends. When I was 16, I had to sell my guitar and amp and didn’t play for several years. Several years later, I bought a player pack and started trying to play again. Between work, deployments, and other life issues, I did not prioritize playing. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and everything suddenly changed. Now disabled and still recovering, I decided to start playing again and attend luthier school to gain new purpose and have a positive outlet. I look forward to continuing the journey.
What held me back? Having our first child 32 years ago. Had to limit my hobbies and guitar lost out. That child, a son, humbly started guitar lessons at the YMCA at about age 10 and has a developed a genuine love of music and is an awesome guitar player, playing on his own as well as with several bands. It makes my heart sing to hear him play. Looking forward to playing with him as my skills improve. Wish it didn’t take 32 years.
You asked what I feel is holding back my improvement. Several things that you have addressed, particularly consistency and not knowing where to go next, There is one other thing that I don’t think you have addressed, however, and that might be the main thing. In my guitar journey, I feel that I have moved on prematurely, that is, I kinda sorta got a concept down, but, because I’m in a hurry, I move on to the next concept without really having mastered the first, which creates holes in my technique. Simple example is I’ll learn a chord, but never get it perfect-it’s a little buzzy or clunky-but good enough to get though a song, then move on to another one. So, in the end, I can play songs, but their buzzy and clunky. It’s kind of like math, You can’t do calculus if you don’t know algebra. Now, your advice in this regard is somewhat counter-intuitive to my experience. You say, play something for 10 minutes or whatever you can, then move on, regardless of how smooth or clean it might be, which is just what has been holding me back. So, I like your style and method and understand you claim it’s based on scientific learning theory, but I haven’t quite bought into that aspect. I don’t know if you ever respond to concerns like mine, but, I’m just sharing. Thanks.
Working on Day 4 ,Didn’t get day one two or three under my fingers. Trying to accomplish new skills with left and right hand simultaneously has not gone well and feels like I could go over these lessons for a month in order to have success. Does the thirty day challenge break skills down to a more do able level? If so that might be the better intro block of lessons. Not sure this will work for me.
i am pretty good at strumming, but struggle when i want to sing with the strumming. I tend to speed up. Even with a metronome. I am concentrating on the singing notes and lose my rythym.
I love this!! The only problem I’m having is a little confusion on what string is what since I play left handed. The middle ones are the toughest! lol
Couldn’t wait to pick up the guitar today.
That’s new!
Had a very difficult time with this challenge. My strumming is ugly, chords sound awful, and chord transitions are so so slow.
Today I hit a wall. I kinda looked at the guitar and thought it is old and I did have a new set of strings. So I looked up on YouTube how to put them on this guitar, because like I said I’m a beginner. I have no idea what I’m doing. So I took the old ones off cleaned it up put the new ones on and it does sound better. Now, looking back on the first four days has been an interesting journey. Day one never really playing guitar was a challenge, but I felt like I got a piece of it day two was hard to, but I still felt like I got a piece of it. Day three seemed to be easier still struggling, but it seemed like it was coming along. But day four has just crushed me. I can’t get my hands in the positions that I need for these chords and I’m really struggling. I don’t want to quit. I want to keep trying, but today really kind of took the wind out of my sails. I’m going to go back and do day 1, 2 and 3. Then see how I feel after that. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, but I know that we need these chords. I don’t know if I can do it. It’s always been a dream to play the guitar around the house. It don’t have to be great. Just sound decent, but I’m really concerned that’s not gonna happen. We’ll see how I feel after tomorrow.
Letting you know that day 3 video would not load for me. Thanks for reminding us it’s more about exposure and not perfection.
The video is muted and won’t play. Youtube videos play perfectly?
Still struggle with the EADGBE strings and where to put my fingers – in your video you speak too fast then cant keep up would be good to have it written soemwhere too. My big fingertips make it difficult to jam them all together on different strings on same fret
This is great so far but I had no time for it yesterday and now day 3’s link doesn’t work for me. Please, can you help?
Still working on it and re going over the 5 days. I like it!
I have tried a few apps all to failure and even an in person teacher too. I just felt like the work was coming in too fast and I couldn’t keep up. I have felt different this week. I am a day behind but so far I have enjoyed the progression.
A clear path sums it up. I just didn’t know where to go. This has been amazing thus far. Thanks
Basically I found out that I have to start practicing with the TAB and AFTER that watching the video and make notes on the printout. That helps me against the feeling of being overwhelmed by the explaination. My biggest challenge is the frustration of being not fast enough to play along the videos even on the lowest speed (0.5). I practice anyway and enjoy seeing me rememering some of the stuff that I practiced the days before, even though it still feels too slow.
After watching today’s challenge I feel a bit better. Finally some chords. Not exactly the chord strumming I have seen before because they are not complete. Only strumming the base string then upstruming on only a few of the higher strings feels so easy. Transitioning to other chords is still difficult but I think I can get a handle on this one
Thanks for making this one a bit easier. I was afraid I was going to drop out.
Nice. I am comfortable with chords so enjoyed this. All caught up and looking forward to day 5.
Well put together Tony; Made it easy to follow; although I did rewind a number of times over the past 4 days to make sure I was seeing and hearing it as intended… caught myself a few times… 🙂 and enjoyed the chord progressions.. and the bass – strum pattern… Thank you, I appreciate every bit of help and direction… 🙂 Blair
I used to play a lot, in bands, recording, and gigs but I started to have pain in my hands so I set the guitar aside for a number of years. My hands are feeling much better now so I am trying to relearn some basics. So far this 10-minute approach has been helpful.
Lacked structure…knowing what to practice. I like your format, seems to work for me. Thank you
I spent years looking for the right program of instruction, which would make me a good guitar player. Unfortunately I learned there is no secret pill to becoming a guitar player. Jumped back and forth between theory and playing techniques. I took private lessons from a professional player, who did teach me a lot of great things, but seem to be teaching me thing he wanted me to know, at his playing level, not things that helped become a better play. I am so happy to try a different teaching routine, that will help me bust out of endless cycle of trying different lessons and seeing no vast improvement.
I don’t switch my chords fast enough to keep the timing. But I went through today’s challenge with my metronome going at 40 bpm. I have to relax and clean up my chords a little, but the more I do it the better it gets. I feel like a win!
My issue in the past no structure jumping from one YouTube video to the next I really never made the commitment to learning what I need to know , I would get bored or frustrated . I feel like Tony is such a great teacher very calm and explains everything so clearly and not getting so technical it goes over my head makes it enjoyable to learn . Thanks Tony
Getting a little easier and sounding better every day , not quite concert quality yet lol but I can here the difference
I enjoyed the strumming, but still having trouble with the transitions on the cords. It seems that I have better luck with my Alvarez with the slimmer neck. Looking forward to tomorrow
I held off because I wasn’t really sure with where to start.
The discussion about comments navigation raises some really valid points. This perspective is refreshing.
efr44
The discussion about comments navigation raises some really valid points. This perspective is refreshing.
deuuee
This is a thoughtful take on comments navigation. The practical examples really help illustrate the concepts.
sjueu383
I found the analysis of comments navigation particularly insightful. Could be valuable for anyone in this space.
shuu3833
I found the analysis of comments navigation particularly insightful. Could be valuable for anyone in this space.
se33df
Really like day 4. Struggling with a few days but enjoying it. I have limited use of my left arm and hand due to a motor vehicle accident. Going at my own pace. I like the positive spin you put on teaching.
I am a total beginner who just barely learned the basic string notes just to tune the guitar that has been ignored for 30 years. The five day challenge has been a challenge for me. I would definitely need the 30 day beginner course!!
My biggest obstacle to progress in playing has been a lack of personal structure, direction, and accountability (I’m the random, artsy-shmartsy type). Having a good teacher to call me to the practice room everyday and lead me through truly productive lessons with fun songs is the framework I needed to stay engaged and stay in the fun zone.
I found the analysis of comments navigation particularly insightful. Could be valuable for anyone in this space.
ww3
The discussion about comments navigation raises some really valid points. This perspective is refreshing.
shueueuww
yes to all of the above, especially my fingers hurt. The cords don’t sound well because I can’t hold all the strings at once without hitting two strings with one finger etc. very clumsy feeling. Still showing up and trying. I feel I would do better one on one in person.
how much do you charged for your class and can someone learn to play guitar just by watching you and can’t ask question while learning
1 AND 2 WAS DIFFICULT.4 was a little bit easier to understand.I did not do number 3 because of my job.I will eventually check #3.
I really have difficulty maintaining my focus. I’m easily distracted and overwhelmed by the amount of information available and much like the dogs in the UP i chase the “squirrels”. It’s so frustrating. Because, though I’ve had my guitar for 4 years, I feel like I’m still a beginner. it really sucks. my hope is that this program keeps my attention. LOL
Tony, Quick Question, After joining, will I still have access to the weekly lessons (videos, etc) for the entire year so I can go back and review an old song?
Day 4 was easy for me as I have been playing chords in my dabbbing for years. I like this training approach (modular).
I’m not ready to commit to your next course just now. This week has tested my commitment to just a weeks worth of trainng.
I have to go back a do 2 & 3 again until feel up to speed. When I feel better with all these units, I may consider your other trainning Units.
Reading Pete’s comment about spending over an hour on just the first two measures on day two really puts the challenge in perspective