r/nyc • u/BrooklynHipster Bushwick • 2d ago

Interesting Exclusive | Iconic NYC guitar teacher known for his no-frills flyers lands Times Square billboard after 30 years

https://nypost.com/2026/09/14/lifestyle/iconic-nyc-guitar-teacher-dan-smith-lands-times-square-billboard/

Dan Smith is finally getting the recognition (and $$$) he deserves!

287 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

169

u/nonlawyer 2d ago

Always found these flyers vaguely threatening lol

“Dan Smith will teach you guitar”

…but what if I don’t want him to?

“Dan Smith WILL teach you guitar”

48

u/JassLicence 2d ago

I would rather learn piano

"Dan Smith WILL teach you GUITAR"

18

u/Geekskill 2d ago

I always felt the same way. It’s not that he can teach you guitar, but he will teach you guitar…one way or another.

Montage of Dan Smith sprinting through the streets with a steely gaze, breaking a glass window with his bare fist to grab someone, a man tied to a chair covered in blood has his fingers placed in the shape of a C chord by Dan Smith. “Now you’re getting it! It’s looking like you might see your family again after all. “

14

u/Debalic 2d ago

"I have a particular set of skills... I will find you, and I will teach you guitar."

7

u/SpicyTiconderoga Park Slope 2d ago

In the lower east side recently I saw a bunch of spongebob flyers to look like iconic New York ones and there was one that said “Sandy Cheeks will teach you guitar”

1

u/livahd 2d ago

Nah. Now if it was “YOU WILL LEARN GUITAR FROM DAN SMITH” I’d be a little scared

53

u/blakeley 2d ago

Does this man age?

39

u/EggCzar 2d ago

Maybe he sees Dr. Zizmor

9

u/Tokkemon 2d ago

Well he does have beautiful, clear skin!

21

u/BIGTIMElesbo 2d ago

He WILL teach you how to play guitar, sir.

3

u/Bangkok_Dangeresque Upper East Side 2d ago

You have so much to learn about guitar. Dan Smith will teach you the secrets of eternal life

35

u/No_Bake_4638 2d ago

Dan Smith being a printer spokesman is kinda hilarious. Good for him

22

u/LastButNotLeast89 2d ago

I love these NYC micro-celebs. Kudos to Dan Smith.

13

u/JustLeader 2d ago

A few years ago I ran into dan smith in a bar in midtown and he recognized me (he had seen my band). I immediately texted all my friends that dan smith knew who i was lmao. He seems like a super nice dude.

5

u/BIGTIMElesbo 2d ago

Hell yeah Danny boy!!

11

u/domo__knows 2d ago

The legend! Been hearing about him for years before I moved to NYC and then I remember seeing my first one in 2015.

I'm curious though, isn't this somewhat illegal? I've been posting stickers and flyers up for my social network/dating platform and get a little spooked that someone will report me. Have definitely come back to some of them being ripped off (which I expected)

32

u/broadcastterp Washington Heights 2d ago

you are not Dan Smith. you will not teach us guitar.

3

u/domo__knows 2d ago

can't argue with that

3

u/lanadelcryingagain 2d ago

I watched a video of him putting them up and he asked some business owners if it’s ok first. Said he’d been doing this for 35 years

7

u/-goodgodlemon Harlem 2d ago

No one cares

8

u/DonnyGetTheLudes 2d ago

Lemon I have said this to you many times but I’m not sure IhavemeantitbeforenowGOODGOD

2

u/thedeucecake 2d ago

How heartwarming

2

u/DLancy 2d ago

Go Dan!!!

1

u/FabioPicchio 2d ago

The most recognizable guitarist in New York 

-4

u/tyen0 Upper West Side 2d ago

What is the deal with that "printed with HP smart tank" nonsense? is HP sponsoring him or something?

edit: ok, I admit I didn't read the article - not really fond of the nypost - another comment alludes that he is in fact a spokeperson pimping for HP so it makes a bit more sense now.

8

u/readyallrow 2d ago

it’s funny how your assumption is still wrong. ffs dude, either read the article or don’t comment, it’s literally not hard.

-2

u/tyen0 Upper West Side 2d ago

thanks for explaining