Rule #1: Don’t call it guitar practice. I’m serious. Start calling it “guitar playing.” Here’s why…
★ What kind of guitar player are you? How should you practice? Take the quiz today: https://tonypolecastro.com/
★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday
★ FOLLOW on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tac.guitar/
Playing evokes fun, discovery, and enjoyment. Practice can conjure up some nasty associations with time limits and exercising.
Okay, now that you got that first mental reframe out of the way, let’s move into how you can make your guitar playing AUTOMATIC with 6 simple steps.
My goal for this episode is to get you feeling like you can play your guitar automatically — in the same way you don’t think about brushing your teeth every day…you just do it.
By using habit building, micro-routines, and plenty of other techniques, you can make your guitar playing habit as automatic as eating or brushing your teeth!
Pretty soon, if you follow these steps, you’ll feel word NOT playing the guitar.
In addition to talking about playing habits, you’ll also hear about a Tony’s Acoustic Challenge Family member who has some exciting news to share about her progress…
As always, you can catch Acoustic Tuesday at 10 am every Tuesday in these four places:
The Beatles influence me to play
Yup, the Beatles got me into Guitar.
Great episode !!!
This is awesome! Thanks for the helpful info. I just started following you on IG. It’s a great idea and will start share my progress!
Best,
+ Joe
A great episode! And, yes, the Beatles were my inspiration to start my guitar journey!
Tony, great tips! I have more time than ever now to play. What with the pandemic and retirement.
I play fingerstyle with a thumb pick. I appreciate your inspiring words. Working on Cannonball Rag right now!
Thank you.
Great Question , yes the Beatles were very much so my inspiration to get busy learning Guitar.
Great show as usual! The one thing that has helped me practice is to ALWAYS have a guitar out of the case and on a conveniently located guitar stand. When I have a few minutes to practice I don’t have to take the time to unpack a guitar which can be an impediment to practice.
Hi, Tony The Beatles Influenced me to play.
Watching your accoustic Tuesday show every week motivates me to pick up my guitar, Great show always ! Thank you
Heah Tony, great advice, this will work thanx. Only one thing no distractions but follow me on instagram that wont work, i will be on there all day. Your friend Guy B. CHAMPA BAY FL.
Tony,
I am a 3 year TAC member and fan but I don”t understand how to log-in and get my daily lesson. Your new format is confusing-Too much stuff. Easy access is difficult–HELP!!!! Please send email
I agree the new site is confusing and most of the time it won’t let me login it just bombs out. Also my stats are all wrong. Very disappointed this always happens when TAC tries to change the site.
Enjoyed this Acoustic Tuesday. Thanks for the structure. Should help me move forward. Wrote don’t- call it guitar playing that struck home. Focus!!! Thanks for the comments, will help me have a better practice session.
My first guitar (Epiphone PRS200) was bought from the same store (Hessy’s) in Liverpool where John, Paul and George bought theirs from too!! I lived in Liverpool for 6 years during the 1980’s and yes the Beatles were a huge influence on me. I’ve walked around Strawberry Fields and down Penny Lane, as well as standing near the gravestone of Eleanor Rigby in St Peter’s church Woolton.
Very cool!
The Beatles certainly had an effect on me among many other guitar players/Bands
The Animals were my impetus to play guitar.
definite beatles influenced
This edition really resonated with me. I started with TAC just under a year ago, having picked up and then (metaphorically) dropped the guitar 15 years ago after getting stuck in a 5-chord rut, playing only with my thumb. I now play with a pick, have built up to about 20 chords – recently got some barres in there – and also flat and cross pick a bit. I learnt a bunch of songs (or bits of songs, including a handful of my own) but was stalling a little. So I wrote down those songs – I was amazed to see how many there were – and now focus on one or two for the duration of my practice session. This is always at least 10 minutes day, usually after supper, as a non-negotiable routine – I’ve missed maybe 15 days in 11 months. This regularity saw me progressing but I wasn’t aware of how much until I wrote it all down; on a day to day basis you’re as good (or bad!) as the day before. This ‘stock take’ and reflection, and now more of a plan and focus, has revitalised my playing; I used to have no plan but jump between songs, a few minutes here, a few more there, and was losing my way a little. As Tony said, too, adding a new song does WONDERS for getting out of a rut.
Thank you are the best, I am off the runway, playing skill up 80%
Thanks Tony. I’m beginning to use my pinky finger to stretch chords up the fret board.
Hi Tony,
I play twice per day, both times right after I brush my teeth! The morning sessions are the best. I am fresh, sharp, and focused. Usually I play about an hour, it is a great way to start and end the day! Thank you for Acoustic Tuesday, I love the new artists introductions and everything else you share. Keep up the great work.
Steve from Boulder Colorado
Hi Tony, I’ve been watching your show from the beginning, but never wrote before. I truly enjoy the info I get from content. I have learned so much. I have been playing steady for about 11 years, being taught on YouTube. I own a 2008 Gibson Hummingbird Pro. Since I don’t have a truckload of money, most of the guitars that are previewed I can only drool over. I have been looking into the Recording King RO 328. I might even trade my Gibson in to get it, and maybe a resonator or mandolin as well. I am curious to what you think of these newer Recording King models. I am planning to try one out to see if is a good fit. Oh yeah, by the way have you checked out the 40 fingers quartet? They’re awesome! Charles(Sticky Hips Jones) Auburn WA.