Thunder Dreams
Try this guitar challenge
STEP 1: Watch the video to learn the bite-sized piece of music
STEP 2: Click the "PLAY" tab below the video to play along with Tony until you can do it on your own.
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I can’t get the tab and video so play side by side. Is that because I’m in a marketing demo version or am I doing something wrong? Considering, but haven’t bought the course yet.
Seagull S6 Folk cedar top I’ve had for 20 years or more
I have a ~1966 Gibson B-15 that I bought in 1989. It is in excellent condition, as it has spent most of it’s life in the case . . . which may prove that I did not deserve it.
but I am keeping it in wonderful shape for its future owner.
but I have been working on this challenge on an unplugged Tele copy (from Monoprice). because I *do* deserve a $79 guitar.
Seagull S6 Mahogany Deluxe
my Yamaha FS5
Martin 000-16GT!
So far I like the format!
Guitar I’m playing at the moment: Martin Custom shop D-35
Oh, No! I haven’t received a lesson in two days. I know I messed something up as I am
not computer literate at all! I hope I can “undo” whatever it is I “did!”
Love u Tony – been watching u on the side lines for years – I’m a part time luthier, so I never stop completely, but 50 years ago I crushed my vocal chords and lost my voice, but it comes back occasionally and I still have my love for guitar and singing – I will b joining u n 2025 – love ur system of teaching and love ur weekly talks
Tab would help
Aha Tony…..you have tab in the play along…… how I missed that yesterday is a mystery. I got it now………….
Martin hd28
My Dad’s 1948 National guitar made by Gibson.
Takamine GN30CE NEX
This is much easier than strumming chords. Really enjoyed!
Fender “Tim Armstrong”
Zager ZAD900CE
Tabacco Sunburst
Martin D18-V
Tony. I love this, but I’m already falling behind. I’m 69 years young and I started playing guitar in the teens. Back then I got pretty good. Even had a band (Swamp Grass). However, (I’m sure you’ve heard this before) I put my guitar down to pursue my economic fortunes. So here I am, decades later, trying to pick up the guitar again (the fingers just don’t move like they used to).
I have an old (from my teens) 12 string acoustic Framus, but I’m trying to re-learn on a couple of inexpensive Fender Squires (an acoustic and an electric).
Anyway, love what you’re teaching, I’m just not sure I can keep up. I’ll keep trying, but let me know if you have anything for old (dormant) rockers like me. THANK YOU!!
MikeMc
I have to admit it was a big leap to go from simple chord changes to minor picking. As we are beginners, I would suggest when you say “Play the open G”, for now, id the string itself. Just a suggestion. I’ll have to replay this lesson often to get it.
Martin D-X2E KOA
Yamaha FG-420A
Godin Seagull, left handed.
I have a Yamaha APX900.
I have a Little Martin acoustic folk guitar and a Cordoba C9 Classical guitar. Both are beautiful and fun to play. I am a beginner and I am coming back after a hand & wrist injury 3 months ago, so I’m feeling a little frustrated right now!
I’m playing my 25 year old Taylor 310
Martin Backpacker
Wow! That was very hard again. So much going on there for a beginner. The whole starting on the third beat added an extra layer of difficulty. Plus the slide thing. Plus the up down picking sometimes but down down picking others. I guess when you use real songs they are not that simple. I’d have preferred a few measures with single notes in an order with each note being one beat. The first four notes are half as long as the last three notes with the slide thing note being thrown in between.
I only got through the first half and it took me over 90 minutes. But this is only my second day. I discovered looking at the tab/musical score while listening to it over and over helped.
I have a Lucero LC 100 guitar. I think it cost $100 12 years ago when my son started taking lessons. He got a more expensive guitar a few months into the lessons but his older sister took it over and took it with her when she moved out.
I relate to what you’re saying Allen, but as beginners I think we just need to s.l.o.w. it down to a crawl until we gain confidence!
My go to guitar for learning to fingerpick alone at home is a Taylor 712e – 12 fret that I inherited from a long time friend. I play a Taylor 414ce R, also inherited, when I play with friends. I play my Eastman AC422, the first guitar I bought for myself, when I want to hear that sound I first fell in love with. And I am so happy to have an Alvarez Silver Anniversary 12 string – it was a gift from my wife who knew I had to have a 12 string to die a happy man (lol). I only play it outdoors in the forest where I can pound away on it with a flat pick. All four guitars have spruce tops and Indian Rosewood back & sides. I have my eye on an all mahogony Martin and who knows, maybe even a resonator some day – well into the future!
Playing a Washburn D56SW. This lesson emphasizes my child-like enthusiasm but demonstrates a set of fingers getting old….. yep, another child that’s grown old. Nice day 2.
My teen years guitar:
Yamaha FG-335
Michael Kelly Forte Exotic Zebra Acoustic Electric
Taylor 224ce-K DLX, koa top 200 series.
My very first guitar – Zager ZAD20. Solid spruce accoustic, sounds awesome!
Breedlove Oregon Concert
Taylor big baby
Playing an Epiphone DM 500 MCM and I love it!
I have six guitars – Will be using either the Taylor 224ce-K DLX or the Taylor 214ce DLX
The other two acoustics are junky guitars my cousin gave me.
Also have two electrics – Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion and an Epiphone ES-335
Used to play in my younger years (Late 70s early 80s) but in my old age (68), forgot just about everything and the skills are not coming back. Used to read music, now I can’t. Finger dexterity is not there anymore. Stopped playing for about 35 years. Started dabbling again with keyboards and guitars over the last the last 7 years – with not much improvement.
I’m playing the only guitar I have. A Tex Mex Fender Stratocaster that my brother bought for me forever ago.
Love it!
I’m picking a Douglas A-20D, a $4 flea market find. Added another $40 for bone saddle and nut, ebony pins, and Guyker tuners. With Stringjoy Foxwood strings it plays nicely and sounds much better than expected!
Playing a Cordoba C5, haven’t tried playing before starting this week’s challenge (so I’ve been playing for two days). Angel From Montgomery was the perfect bait for me to start.
I’m sorry I found tabs. I’m playing my new Ovation Elite TX 1868tx I just purchased. Loving it.
I am playing an Ovation, and a Fender Acoustasonic for this step of the TAC.
Can I get this in written form I cannot figure out what your picking by watching
taylor 110
Been playing a long time; typically I get the chords from tabs, then work to embellish them. Strumming patterns, phrasing and timing I get by ear. Hoping this lesson will get me started on counting and other basics I’m deficient in.
Martin 000-18 & Taylor 260ceblkdlx
Martin D-28
Guild D-140CE in sunburst. Awesome all solid wood guitar, very loud and beautiful full sound.
I play a Seagull SWS Folk
PS – I hear you but I still don’t think I’m good enough for a Beard Trailhead
struggled at first but got it d28
I bounce back and forth between a Yamaha Nylon string classical and Fender Dreadnought
Godin Multiac Grand Concert
December 10, 2024
Good afternoon, Tony,
I recently had a ‘consultation’ appointment with a guitar teacher here in Fresno. Here’s what I said about my ‘skill’ level and questions I had:
1) Should I learn the scales? What benefit will I get from learning them?
2) I have learned the ‘rule of 7s’ (GCDD7, EFGG7), etc. What is the benefit from learning these for A thru G, except as a good warm up exercise?
3) I’ve been using Mel Bay’s Guitar Method Grade 1. Is this the ‘best’ resources for me? I’ve played for 50+ years, but sometimes it feels like Year One 50 times!
4) I would like to learn more ballad-type songs. Some of my current favorites are Daddy Sang Bass (Johnny Cash), King of the Road (Roger Miller), The Sloop John B. (The Beach Boys), Ghost Riders in the Sky, and This Land is Your Land. Also, several Christian Worship songs like In the Garden (Alan Jackson). And I’d like to learn more railroad songs too!
5) I feel deficient in the various strumming patterns. I can finger pick just a bit (6, 2, 3, 1) and pinch (6/1, 4, 2, 3), but beyond that? No clue! I get the down, down, down-up, down-up pattern, but am weak at applying that!
6) I also have played lots of kids’ songs during my 25+ years of teaching Special Needs kids.
7) I like to sing along with the songs although finding the starting note/string remains a challenge most of the time.
Not sure of where else I can apply my mild level of skills. I don’t see myself as musically gifted in any way, although I get three/four time, four/four time, etc. I took an introductory guitar class through Clovis Unified Adult School last Spring and realized I’m not actually a beginner! They will be offering an intermediate class in January; I’ll sign up for that. I look forward to consulting with you as I really have little idea of where to go next!
I currently play a Takamine G-240 which I’ve had for years. And I recently bought a Yamaha 12 string! Strummed ‘G’ once and knew I had to have it!
Thanks very much,
Steve Merrill
Fretless in Fresno
I play a Yamaha APX900 and a Taylor T5z
Lo Prinzi LM-15, mahogany back and sides, spruce top. Bought about 1980.
Larrivee OMV-05, mahogany back & sides w/ spruce top. Bought it used about 10+ years ago.
Oops—my Yamahas are FG 830 and FS830. They make a lot of different models
I’m playing either a Martin 000-18, or a Gibson J-200
I have been too far removed from playing- this appears too advanced for me!! I need to start from bare bones and toughen up my fingers again.
I agree. I’m disappointed, Too advanced. I have trouble telling which strings are held down during the pick. Would be nice to see some written notes or “drawings” of neck, dont know how to explain. Cannot tell from looking at the fingers in video. Too advanced for me. I hope I can understand the next 3. I started to sign up a year ago but too many things happening.
I’m 74 “played” off and on for decades with years in between. Using my Dad’s Gibson, no model # it was old in the ’70s.
I am using a Taylor GS Mini
Playing a black Fender acoustic that I bought from some guy on Craigslist about 20 years ago. Needs some string replacements (not sure how to do that w/out being frustrated) but it still sounds pretty good.
This is day 2 week one. I am using a Fender DG5 my fingers hurt. I find it difficult to keep up even when I drop the speed. After 10 min I am still trying to repeat the 1st 2 measures, When does the fun begin?
I generally play, as today, my Taylor 712ce, small body, Grand Concert with rosewood back and sides and spruce top with western Sunburst finish. I’m 5’2″ so “Tay” fits my body frame beautifully. She’s lovely to play and sounds terrific.
I have a 2022 small body Cort non electric that I use most of the time and I have a 1980 ish Hondo nylon string that I take to parties- I have had my left wrist fused a few years ago it has slowed my playing down But it hasn’t stopped me yet
So far, I’m enjoying this series and I look forward to practicing! I’m playing a Yamaha Thinline APX500 acoustic/electric guitar that I bought myself 5 years ago for my birthday. I am just finally getting around to learning how to play it! I’m a singer and I want to try playing guitar and singing since I am currently without a band.
Yamaha FG-420E-C which I have had for about 40 years. I also have an Ovation Elite TX but the Yamaha still sounds great.
Jerry Finch
I am trying once again to learn something new. I am playing a (1952) Martin 00-17 which I have had since 1965.
Hi Tony, did you ever ear about the Vidami device?
I love this device, it is very good in helping you praticing guitar…
Unfortunately your WEB site URL (https://tonypolecastro.com/) does not appear in the list of supported WEB sites so my Vidami device is useless. I have no idea what are the requirements if any…($$$?).
FYI, we can find in the list URL like:
*://*.justinguitar.com/*
*://*.martymusic.com/*
*://*.yourguitarsage.com/*
*://*.youtube.com/*
Any chance your URL (*://*.tonypolecastro.com/*) could be added to this list on day?
Thanks.
I’m playing a Martin Felix the Cat LE most of the time. I also have a Martin 175th Anniversary dreadnought. Both are all HPL with stratabond necks.
Hi Tony,
Today I am using my Yamaha NTX3 nylon. My Breedlove Oregon Concertina is in the shop getting a new saddle installed. I have a Taylor 312 too but the Breedlove dusts it for tone.
Bought a Zager Zad 50 a few years ago. Sounds just fine to me, only wish the fretboard was wider for my big paws.
Hi Tony, I have a few guitars (Taylor, Godin…) but for this exercice, I am using my preferred one, my BOUCHER.
bought a Harmony, don’t know the model. Finding it difficult to follow lesson even on the slowest speed…maybe need a .25x ! ha. Anyone know a good site to “tune” my guitar…or maybe an expensive tuner to buy?
Download ProGuitar tuner
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pro-guitar-tuner/id687934254
The Fender website has a decent online tuner for a variety of guitar types. I have a built-in tuner on my Yamaha APX500, but I need a new 9-volt battery for it, lol
First challenge lesson for me. 78, been playing a year and a half.
I can do some things and play along with others or recordings but now more curious about licks and leads so this is perfect. Thank you.
I went for Yamahas and several of them, the first being a FG 250 dreadnought which has a big sound but hard for me to hold. The one really like is the FS 300 which is the a same series but more OM size and waist and hip design which is easier to hold onto. Really pretty guitar and projects almost as well as the dreadnought but brighter.
Yamahas for the price—$350 or so—seem pretty good to me.
Cheers
Madison WI
Nice lesson but when I go to play I get the same video that I get at learn. Anyhow, I can still do the lesson but would like to have the play video.
I am presently playing a Paul Reed Smith cutaway. My go to is a 00028 Martin.
I’m playing an Epiphone Humingbird Artist.
Roger Moellendorf
Red Lodge, Montana
Hi Tony. Great lesson today. I started playing last year on a Fender CD-60S that I got from Amazon. I just got a Taylor GS Mini. I love both guitars. I’m left handed so my choices are somewhat limited.
PRS Alex Lifeson Thinline Signature Angelus!
Taylor GT. Spruce top, rosewood back & sides.
In Arlington, Texas. Playing on a ’94 Taylor 655 12-string. As to higher cost guitars, think about a, say, $1000 guitar. Play it for one hour, the cost of entertainment was $1000 per hour. Play it for two hours, now the cost is $500 per hour, play for 100 hours the cost is $10 per hour – getting near the cost of a movie ticket. The more you play the better the value of entertainment. And you have the added benefit of, should you so desire, to sell the guitar. You can’t sell that movie ticket and get back anything from that 2-hours of entertainment. Now I just need to convince my wife that I really need that Taylor 814ce.
Hi. I’m in Dorset, South-West England. Playing a Dean Tradition S-GN which I bought second-hand a few years ago.
Hi friends
My work guitar is a Furch. A little gem
Hi Tony
The guitar I am learning to play is my own build. It took me a long time to complete but it sounds fantastic for a first attempt. It has a Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides and ebony fretboard.
Great challenge Tony
Ron in Derbyshire UK
Well done Ron! I admire your achievement. I built my first guitar in woodwork lessons at school many years ago. It lasted me for a while until I could afford to buy a factory-made guitar. Unfortunately it got broken beyond repair one day, so had to be sent to guitar heaven.
Thanks Brian
Shame about the guitar you built you should have a go at building another one.
The feeling of getting a tune out of something you have made is very satisfying.
I just need to stick with Tony now and learn to play it.
Ron
Playing on a Taylor GS Mini Koa
I’m playing a 1996 Martin 000-28 12 fret limited edition. I sold most of my guitars before I moved to Europe. I then bought this one. I’ve dubbed it the one guitar to rule them all!
Ho Tony and all,
I am playing right now a John Walker LOLO Creek, which I was very lucky to find in Germany where I am living.
To it,comes a Baleno parlor (US), a gypsy Alvez de Puga (Fr) and my favorite, a BSG OM (Cz).
All different type of sounds but all inspiring guitar that give me envie to play.
Which is the best reason to have the guitar you are dreaming of!
I’m playing a Yamaha FG375 that I bought in 1982.