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Guitar playing tips and inspiration to play guitar consistently, have more fun and see more progress with your guitar routine. Every week your host, Tony Polecastro (from tacguitar.com) shows you a new guitar lick and shares new guitar gear and acoustic guitar music he‘s recently found. Tune out the overwhelm of online guitar lesson noise and let Tony be your guide to focus, fun and progress every Tuesday at 10am.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
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…
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
You think you can't do it. You're not good enough. You don't have the experience to compete with people who've been doing this for years. But I'm here to tell you that YOU CAN DO IT! So if your goal is to nail your first open mic performance, then check out these 6 steps.
★ 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/
I think the best way to frame this is by telling you about my first open mic experience.
I was drunk, not prepared, my gear was broken, my song was unfinished, I got easily distracted, didn't have fun, and I tried to do everything alone.
Now, I want to tell you what you need to do to prevent this nightmare-ish experience from happening to you. That's why this video will provide a step-by-step guide to help you have the best open mic experience possible.
I'm also covering some big news announcements, including…
- Gibson's new factory expansion in Bozeman (footage courtesy of @Acoustic Letter )
- Thompson Guitars new Billy Strings Model
- Mule Resonator Guitars
- Heartbreaker Guitars and Eddie's Guitars new inventory
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Listening to Celtic guitar and Irish guitar can introduce you to a whole host of new sonic experiences and principles that you may not be aware of. In this video, I'm diving into 10 must-hear Celtic guitarists that have left me speechless and my mind BLOWN! 🤯
★ 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/
One of the best ways to learn a new genre or style of music is to find the most inspirational players and listen to them. So, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, I'm highlighting 10 inspirational Celtic guitarists that just absolutely blew me away.
I've learned a ton about Irish and Celtic music in preparation for this episode, and I'm excited to share with you some of my discoveries about the rich musical history and tradition of these genres.
In addition to celebrating St. Patrick's Day with you, I want to revisit a topic we talked about a few weeks back: practicing 10 minutes a day. I have an exciting story to share with you that should help dispel any doubts about the TAC Method.
Last but not least, I've got my weekly picks of the acoustic guitar news you can use!
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
In this video, I'll show you some alternative instruments that will help you learn the basics of playing guitar. These 5 non-guitar instruments are great for beginners and even experienced players who want to learn something new.
★ 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/
If you've been struggling to learn how to play guitar, then I recommend learning some of the basics on these other instruments. These five non-guitar instruments can really help you get your fingers and ears in shape without ever touching a guitar!
From the humble mandolin to the harmonica, I'll highlight what I've learned from each of these instruments.
My hope is that you can walk away from this episode feeling inspired and excited to learn a new instrument — all in the hopes of finding fun, focus, and progress on your guitar journey!
In addition to seeing which 5 non-guitar instruments can help you learn guitar, I want to tell you about C.J. from within the TAC Family and how he's finding progress on his guitar journey.
Finally, I'll introduce you to Sierra Hull's new YouTube release, Eli West's new album, and Jeremy Garrett's Circles album as well.
As always, you can catch Acoustic Tuesday at 10 am every Tuesday in these four places:
- Acoustic Life YouTube channel
- TAC Guitar Instagram Page
- Get show notes emailed directly to your inbox.
- Listen to audio-only below or in iTunes
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
The guitar is an instrument that everyone wants to learn, but it's not easy! It takes a lot of practice and discipline. But what if there was a way to make sure you're practicing the right things?
In this video, we'll explore the science behind how our brains work, and show you some mindsets to help ensure you're making progress on your guitar journey — even when you've had enough of plucking those strings for the day!
★ 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/
I want to give a huge shoutout to the creatives and researchers that helped make this video possible. Below is a list of resources I sighted in this video.
- BJ Fogg TedX : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKUJxjn-R8
- Tom Bilyeu Impact Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCHPSo79rB4
- Rich Roll Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9uDVVWN_ZE
- Productivity Game (Purposeful Practice): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoUHlZP094Q
- Productivity Game (Positive Thinking): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBfes3qFs4A
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Tuesday Feb 23, 2021
Playing like Jerry Garcia is cool — but what about *thinking* like Jerry Garcia? In this video, you'll get the 7 biggest lessons from Jerry Garcia about how to be creative, musical, and happy!
★ 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/
Jerry Garcia was, without a doubt, one of the most influential guitarists in the 20th century. Countless guitarists have copied the way he plays, which is all fine and good. But what about copying the way Jerry thought about music?
On this episode of Acoustic Tuesday, I'm sharing with you the 7 takeaways from Jerry Garcia's career. I'll include interviews from the man himself, interviews from other musicians talking about Jerry Garcia, and some of his own off-camera thoughts and musings.
In addition to diving into the beautiful mind of Jerry Garcia, I want to share with you the incredible story of one guitar geek traveling the world with her guitar.
Last but not least, I've got a few YouTube series you definitely need to check out.
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Tuesday Feb 16, 2021
Looking for something more *spicy* than your normal guitar tone? Check out these cheap and easy guitar tone experiments that are sure to put some spice back into your guitar playing!
★ 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/
Experimenting with your guitar's tone is an excellent way to vary your guitar playing. With these 5 easy guitar tone experiments, you're bound to find some inspiration in places you didn't think was possible.
From using an improvised dampener for your strings to a Koto converter, all of these tonal experiments are perfect for beginner guitarists or long-time players.
In addition to talking about guitar tone experiments, you'll hear about TAC Family member Daniel M., a guitar geek who went from weekend strummer to certified guitar player after using the TAC Method.
After hearing Daniel's story, you'll get my rundown of acoustic guitar news you can use. We'll be covering Tempest Guitars, started by Daisy Tempest from Tom Sands Guitars, how you can book Michael Watts to play in your home (virtually, of course), and a whole bunch of stuff on Jon Gomm!
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Tuesday Feb 09, 2021
Put your listening skills to the test in this step-by-step guide to emulating Nick Drake's tone and style! After this video, you'll have the tools you need to play in Nick Drake's style!
★ 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/
Before I go any further, I want to thank Josh Turner for his incredible video on Nick Drake's tone and style. You can watch his video here.
In addition, the Vinyl Rewind episode on Nick Drake provided tons of useful information about Nick's life and recordings, which helped make this video. You can find that episode here.
Besides chatting about the 5 steps to replicate Nick Drake's iconic tone and style, you'll have the chance to hear about one of the incredible transformations that is happening inside the Tony's Acoustic Challenge community.
This week, you'll hear from Brandon K., a guitar geek that used the power of reflection and evaluation to get excited about his progress and process in TAC.
Finally, I have my acoustic guitar news you can use! This week, you'll hear about developments with Dead Horses as well as Iris Guitars and Guild Guitars.
As always, you can catch Acoustic Tuesday at 10 am every Tuesday in these four places:
- Acoustic Life YouTube channel
- TAC Guitar Instagram Page
- Get show notes emailed directly to your inbox.
- Listen to audio-only below or in iTunes
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Do you feel lost when you look at a guitar's spec sheet? Wondering how tonewood actually impacts the sound of a guitar? In this video, we're going to talk about 10 of the most common tone woods guitars are made of and how they can transform tonal qualities.
★ 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/
Guitar tonewoods can have a HUGE impact on your guitar's sound. That's why understanding what certain tonewoods sound like is important for playing and purchasing guitars.
Especially when it's difficult to physically play a guitar in a shop, knowing the tonal properties of specific tonewoods can give you an idea of any given guitar's sound.
You'll also learn about how certain tonewoods interact with each other to create distinct sounds. Who knows, maybe you'll discover the perfect tonewood combination after watching today's episode!
In addition to talking about guitar tonewoods, you're going to hear about TAC Family member Krozz, whose guitar journey has had many ups and downs but has hit its stride after following the TAC method.
Last but certainly not least, you'll see the coolest acoustic guitar performances from around the web as well as a special surprise performance from my son, Ayden!
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
Tuesday Jan 26, 2021
BIG innovations are coming from guitar makers in 2021. Learn about the latest and greatest guitar models from luthiers that are making waves in the acoustic guitar industry!
★ 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/
In today's video, I'm showing you the 10 guitar makers that you need to watch in 2021. Some of them are small bench makers, some of them are huge multinational makers. But all of them are making incredible acoustic guitars in 2021.
From Taylor to Mule Resophonic Guitars, each of these guitar makers is either pushing the envelope on acoustic guitar innovation or providing guitars that are priced just right.
In addition to talking about the 10 guitar makers you need to watch in 2021, I'm going to share with you the latest acoustic guitar news from the industry. Whether it's mergers, album releases, or artist announcements, I got you covered!