[JohnWP]

Google is your friend. You should be able to find a good source in just a few minutes.

https://content.app-sources.com/s/28860800263691606/uploads/Printables/Guitar_Tab_Paper_-_Large-3862520.pdf

• This reply was modified 7 months ago by  JohnWP.

[JohnWP]

I started out as a 64 year old newbie last year and now a year later I am amazed at the progress I have made. It doesn’t happen in giant leaps, but in tiny steps. Since the challenges cycle around just wait until you revisit a challenge and realize how much you have improved since the first time you tried it.

[JohnWP]

I am enjoying going through the material for the second time. But I think eventually I will move past Tony’s courses even though they are good. Going to an in person teacher once a week this year has been a huge help so far.

[JohnWP]

I bought an “egg timer” cube that has different times on each side. I give Tony 10 minutes each day to learn a new technique and if I am enjoying myself I may play longer. Then I practice a handful of different strumming patterns going from one cord to another. Sometimes it’s some pattern I have found in a song or sometimes it’s just random cord to cord transitions. Next it’s playing some simple single note riffs, power cords, or openings to songs that I have found online.

So at the end of playing I have learned a new technique, practiced strumming and cord transitions, and played something that actually sounds like music. Sometimes I play a lot longer and some days 30 minutes is my max. For me it’s about creating a daily routine and having fun along the way.

[JohnWP]

11 months into TAC now I decided that I would add in person lessons into my toolbox this year. The past Friday was my first lesson so too early to say how it’s going to work. But we did seem to click and he is willing to help me with whatever I think I need. Going to continue with TAC and will probably bring him things I learned with Tony during the week that I may want additional help with. We will see how it goes.

[JohnWP]

Going to give you my current daily process.

1. Watch the days Challenge while walking on the treadmill. Watch it again while eating breakfast with the Picture in Picture feature so I see the tab while Tony talks and plays.

2. Set an egg timer for 10 minutes and do the days challenge the best I can. If enjoying myself play longer. If not stop.

3. Set timer again for 10 minutes and play cord transitions with C,D,G, easy F, and a couple other cords. I have a five cord song I am trying to learn (Dancing in the Moonlight) that serves well for this.

4. Set timer for 10 minutes and strum along with a metronome with different cords and some simple strumming patterns at different speeds. The 2 cord version of “Horse with No Name” was my first go to, but now I mix it up with just cords sometimes

5. Play few simple licks that I am trying to learn for another 10 minutes.

By then I have played for 40-60 minutes and I call it a day. Spend free time looking on the web for the next 3 cord song or opening lick I want to try out. I still have a lot to learn and cord transitions are happening but slowly. My ultimate goal is to play the guitar as long as I am physically and mentally able. How good I get we will just have to wait and see. Turning 65 years old this year..

Btw.. At almost a year in I sometimes still feel frustrated with TAC, but I remind myself it’s just one tool in the toolbox and not a silver bullet

[JohnWP]

Why? I bet you will find that most of it is mundane at this point. Do the 30 day, then the 5 day routine, and then jump into the daily challenge whatever day it is.

Remember Tony quoting Winston Churchill… “Perfection is the Enemy of Progress “. You are certainly able to do the 30 day challenge over and over, but I doubt it will be much of a challenge. But it is your journey so enjoy.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by  JohnWP.

[JohnWP]

Yesterday’s challenge with the 3 finger G and the C/G cord threw me for a loop as I have always been playing the 4 finger cord. Took me some time and was good stretching exercise for my fingers but it’s becoming easier.

[JohnWP]

Congratulations! On your one year! I am almost into my 11th month and looking forward to hitting the one year anniversary mark as well! Been an awesome journey so far…

[JohnWP]

If you see this then the second note is an up strum Also when Tony counts and says “1 and 2” the “and” is an up strum.

Some of these basics he never really covers and you have to sorta pick up yourself.

[JohnWP]

I think most that join TAC go through the same realization that this is a skills based course and not a song playing one. I see a big challenge with guitar playing is quick transitions from cord to cord. So it’s kinda hard to create a course for a complete beginner that involves learning songs when you can’t make the rapid transitions. Tony’s course instead focuses on creating a daily playing habit and learning basic skills you will need even as you work on playing clean cords quickly. Stick with it and I think you will find his system works pretty good.

Btw.., if you are completely brand new and want to play a song google “two cord horse with no name”. It’s a great song that builds your confidence in switching cords quickly. Have fun!! I also like countryguitarteacher who has lots of songs that involve 4 easy cords and as mentioned Lauren Bateman is a great source for easy songs.

• This reply was modified 10 months, 3 weeks ago by  JohnWP.

[JohnWP]

Come to this forum with your questions if you have a problem with a daily challenge. Lot of great people willing to help

I remember my first months with TAC I spent more time trying to figure out which finger Tony was using for each note than I did playing the actual challenge. Eventually I realized that unless he specifically suggested which fingers to use then it didn’t really matter as long as it felt comfortable for me.

Guitar playing is not easy but if you stick with it you will make progress. TAC is just one tool in the toolbox and finding other sources of information and inspiration is not a bad thing at all.

I just signed up for my second year of TAC this week and I am amazed at how far I have come and still know how far I have go. But it’s the journey that makes it all worthwhile.

[JohnWP]

Yep. Sometime in past two weeks we got an email saying the site was going to be down as they were doing a few things to speed it up. I haven’t noticed a change either way. Posting this message did seem much slower than in the past though.

[JohnWP]

If you say so. Almost everything you said went completely over my head. LOL

[JohnWP]

All three. lol.