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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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  2. John Bradbury December 10, 2024

    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!

  3. Tom December 10, 2024

    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.

  8. Lee Hutchins December 10, 2024

    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

  16. Steve Merrill December 10, 2024

    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

    1. Ed December 10, 2024

      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.

  24. Gary Karr December 10, 2024

    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.

  25. Christopher December 10, 2024

    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?

  26. Janna Rae Severson December 10, 2024

    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.

  27. Henry Parker December 10, 2024

    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

  28. Jenn Stewart December 10, 2024

    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.

  29. Matt December 10, 2024

    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.

  31. Dany Laferriere December 10, 2024

    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.

  32. Eugene December 10, 2024

    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.

  33. Jim December 10, 2024

    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.

  36. Rob December 10, 2024

    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?

    2. Jenn Stewart December 10, 2024

      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

  37. James Gentry December 10, 2024

    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

  38. John Teller December 10, 2024

    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.

  40. Ruth December 10, 2024

    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.

  43. Stan December 10, 2024

    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.

  46. Ron Cox December 10, 2024

    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

    1. Brian December 10, 2024

      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.

      1. Ron December 10, 2024

        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

  48. Paula December 10, 2024

    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!

  49. vincent December 10, 2024

    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!

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