Help getting started

[Moose408]

There is a Quick Start guide on the main sidebar that will answer a lot of questions. Here’s the link

https://tonypolecastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TAC_User_Guide-v5.pdf

You should work you way through the 30 Days to Play before attempting the Daily Challenges. The idea is to spend a day on each video. Many people spend longer in an attempt to perfect each lesson but Tony preaches consistently over perfection. Meaning show up everyday for at least 10 mins,

Welcome to TAC, it’s a great place to learn.

[BrandonK]

Thanks Moose,

I have read through the Quick Start Guide and just so I understand that I am reading it correctly.

1. 30 Day play, one lesson a day for 10 minutes

2. Once that is completed than do the 5-Day Routine Challenge

3. Then after I have completed the above then start into the Daily Challenge.

Questions:

Once I am at #3 am I just doing the daily challenges from that point forward or is there a different routine I am supposed to be following?

Thank you,

[Roy-Phils]

Brandon,
I think I’m right; the Daily Challenges actually span a 5-day week,
starting basic on Monday and building up to the final goal on Friday.
I’ve been on and off since 2014 and so I’ve picked up a bit along the
way and the skills courses have content that I will be dipping into at
some point, particularly barre chords which I’d love to nail. Going back
to your main point (I think), Tony does not throw us in at the deep and
we sink or swim; throughout the process we learn incrementally in small
easily digestible chunks. Hope that makes sense.

[BrandonK]

That does make sense. I am just trying to make sure I am following the process correctly and not over doing it.

[Kim-Fitz]

Hi Brandon,

On the left sidebar you will see S<font face=”inherit”>kills Course -Getting started. When you click on that it brings up different lessons. It will show 30 days to play, 5 day guitar routine and some other lessons. As a beginner the other lessons are worth going through after completing 30 days to play. Another Skills Course worth going through is under techniques called </font>flat picking<font face=”inherit”> jumpstart. Tony </font>will<font face=”inherit”> show you how to hold a pick and how to use it correctly. Don’t get overwhelmed by all the </font>courses. Just explore them when you have time and pick one to try when you feel ready. I just suggested a couple good for beginners starting out.

As others already said start with 30 days to play and then 5 day routine before jumping into daily challenges. Go at your own pace. You don’t need to master any lesson before moving to the next one. Good luck and have fun! Kim

[BrandonK]

Thanks Kim,

I have started with the 30 Days to Play and just going through one 10 minute lesson at a time now. I want to make sure this is a long distant race not a sprint and burn myself out.

[Carol-3M-Stillhand]

@BrandonK Congratulations on your new guitar and welcome to TAC!! Happy NGD (New Guitar Day) and alot of us geeks would love to know what you brought home from the guitar store and how you like it so far!!

I agree that the best place to start is the 30 days to play. Don’t be a perfectionist, but work your way through that. Afterwards, give the daily 10 minute lesson a try for 10 minutes a day. Just to see the video, take a look at the music/TABs and go wading. See how far you can get in 10 minutes. Many of the daily lessons repeat, so the next time you see it you will be familiar with it and you will really see the progress you have made since last time. (You can also click the heart to put any lesson on your list of favorites so you can go back to it any time you like and work on it.)

Also under “Resources” in the menu column to the left of the screen there’s a goody called “Skill Courses” which contains a whole bunch of awesome video lessons from Tony. They are fun and very do-able. Check them out!!!

Glad you are here and hope you are enjoying your new guitar life!!! C

[BrandonK]

Hi Carol, the guitar I went and invested in was a Taylor GS Mini-e Hawaiian Koa top – Plus.

I just started the 30 Days to Play lessons and I am only doing one lesson a day to make sure I take my time. I don’t want to get frustrated because I am not getting it right from the start. My goal is just to do 10 minutes a day and consider that a win by staying consistent with that goal.

Where did you find the “Daily 10 minute sessions” you are referring to. For some reason I am not able to find it.

Also, I was looking to see if there are finger exercises video’s like this https://youtu.be/UeSEjyYzSpE?si=J7W1AN9SwR2qG-mY in the program?

[Loraine]

@BrandonK Comgrats on the NGD. I have a GS Mini Koa. I’m not familiar with the Plus aspect. What is that? We guitar geeks love pictures, so if you can post a pic off the new guitar. Koa has a beautiful sound. Hope you enjoy it.

As for the 10 minutes that Carol refers to, I believe she is simply referring to the playing for 10 minutes per day, so when taking your lesson in the 30 days to play, give it your best shot for a minimum of 10 minutes and then mark it complete. You can continue to work on it, bit just don’t get caught up on it. Continue to move forward to t(e next lesson on the next day.

If you commit to at least 10 minutes per day, you will get better and progress in your playing.

[BrandonK]

Thanks Loraine

This is the plus model. The difference from my understanding is the Electronics

https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/gs-mini-e-koa-plus

That also makes sense regarding the 10 minutes, thank you

taylorguitars.com

Taylor Guitars

Taylor Guitars is a leading manufacturer of acoustic and electric guitars. As well you can build to order via our custom guitar program. Taylor guitars are widely considered among the best-sounding and easiest to play guitars in the world.