To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Playing along with the backing track is SUCH fun… pausing, repeating, moving from horizontal to vertical… my fingertips are almost raw. Can’t wait for tomorrow!
I’ve never felt comfortable playing with a pick, but that’s happening for me through this challenge…
Awesome lesson. This is the scale I’ve used for soloing for 40 years. The next step is to learn where these notes are up and down the fretboard and then you can bounce up and down the guitar all day! Have fun!!!
Wow! Way fun!
I had been practicing scales for years but finally saw the connection to playing solos!
Good lesson – Progress! Feeling more comfortable just looking at the fretboard.
I can get the scale down without a problem but to add it to the back g track doesn’t make sense
I have to say that this approach to learning is amazing, so much more interesting and challenging than just learning chords to a song and getting frustrated with not knowing how to make the changes smoother and suffering burn out. The main thing I’m finding challenging with the day 1 technique is accuracy when picking, but I do feel like I’m getting somewhere with it, your tip for getting past deadening the A string by adjusting the wrist to increase the arch while fretting the low E has helped so much. I do find my fingers are quite stiff and if you have any tips to warm up and get the flexibility to get past that stiffness I would really appreciate any help, I have tried so many different exercises found on YouTube but as you said information overload is really not good for finding what I need, or not being explained well enough. I’m really enjoying the challenge so far, you have opened my eyes to a whole world of possibilities and I am finding myself getting excited about playing again. Thanks Tony
This is very exciting for me–some years ago I had the BEST guitar teacher. He was a 80s “hair” band kinda guy, all about rock. (I had a very nice Strat at the time–what a great guitar. And a Taylor, I forget what model–I sold them both to pay for lessons). He taught me these pentatonic scale shapes, how to move them around and how to improvise, and I could actually do it–not beautifully, but I GOT it. It was so much fun. But he moved away, and I drifted away from playing, and forgot most of what I had known–until now, it’s coming back. The FUN of it. Thank you, Tony!
Thrilling to be able to fool around playing lead guitar type riffs on a nice tune like this. The continuous loop is so helpful and lets me play around with it. I am a pretty self-taught guitar player and have never really played with a flat pic. I like the sound of the pic (versus finger picking) but could use some tips to improve control with it. I suspect it mostly just takes practice till I get a better hang of it.
I’m traveling today so I don’t have the opportunity to play on my guitar. But, the small win is that I watched today’s video in entirety and I am stoked to get back with it tomorrow!
I am genuinely floored by your method, Tony. Clear, succinct, and logical. Thank you for a brilliant new vantage point from which to explore my terrain.
I feel that I’ve had small wins with all 3 challenges! I still have work to do to get everything “under my fingers” but I feel very optimistic! Thanks, Tony.
I am learning but it is taking me way more than 10 minutes a day to get it down. I should be on day 4 but I am still learning day 3. I did play a solo today and gettting more comfortable with flat picking.
Definitely had a breakthrough moment tonight. Playing open chords, not just the taught scale but any of my scales with open strings. Mind officially blown, how on earth did I not know this before today. Thank you Tony. You are right, all about the little wins and bonus wins for me this evening.
I played a lot of guitar 30 years ago and left it alone while I raised my family etc. I was taught theory and improvisation etc and loved the blues.
Your 5 day challenge has been for me a wonderful way to get excited about guitar again. I’ve enjoyed getting my fingers back in shape( I’m not as flexible) and making music again. I’m smiling as a write this. Thank you
I started back playing guitar when I was working 911 dispatching. This was my stress reliever and I also wrote a song about being a 911 dispatcher called If You Could See What I Hear, I have a Fender Sonoma 3/4 size and a Oscar Schmidt acoustic electric that I play. I have been writing songs now for three years.
Hey! Repeat beginner here. I’m loving this lesson! I’m bad for getting board and wanting to jump straight to shredding hard metal songs I have no business learning yet . This lesson has been really good. I got day 2 down really well and am doing pretty good at the scale and trying to keep up with you without making a mistake. I’m getting there. You may also notice I’m a day behind. I missed yesterday due to family obligations but I’m here and keeping at it!
I’m here every day, showing up and learning how to use my pick
I can’t belive how easy this is. I started playing guitar in the 1st grade. Quit when I entered the 6th grade, then picked it back up again when I hit 47. I’m now 52 and playing better than I ever have – after only three day. Unbelieveable. I can solo!
Can you down load that backing track ?
Today’s win is practicing after a long work day in the heat, and coming home to make dinner and attend a meeting. I got the lesson in and now feel much better about my day. I feel like my solos do in fact follow scales, and I’m looking forward to breaking out of that a little.
The small win for me was realising the first solo of “Wish you were here” that I had learnt is actually based on this exact same scale. When you explained it and then started moving it horizontally it just clicked and I could see the connection between the notes. Thanks Tony
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 ?