It's kind of hard to explain to people who don't spend much time in New York City what an icon this workaday guitar teacher is. Simply by the act of hanging fliers everywhere --and I mean everywhere-- for the last decade, he's become as representative of the Big Apple as the 59th St. Bridge, Tompkins Square Park, Radio Man, the soup dumplings at Joe's Shanghai, and Dancin' Larry.
You know, not well-well-known to outsiders or casual visitors, but instantly recognizable to those of us who spend a decent amount of time here.
Dan Smith, humble picker, has been the centerpiece of many a Halloween costume, a Mike Meyers markting campaign and a John Mayer parody.
The important thing to keep in mind, is that Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar.
Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar... and How to Build a Brand
For nearly 15 years, Dan Smith has plastered New York with fliers promoting his guitar lessons. And in the process, has become a cult icon -- and successful entrepreneur. Why even John Mayer is taking notice.
For those of you outside New York, these are the simple words seen on ubiquitous fliers that have enabled Dan Smith to follow his musical muse and become Gotham's most widely known guitar teacher. By combining the basic tools of paper, printer and photocopier, with a free introductory lesson, Dan Smith has created a brand that keeps him flush with 20 to 30 students at a time, soaking in his relaxed go-at-your-own-pace approach to teaching guitar.
At his west side studio, Smith took time out from his lessons to explain what it's like to be the man who is not a myth, but is definitely a local legend. After all, do you know of any other music teachers who've been the parody centerpiece of a Mike Meyers guerrilla movie marketing campaign?
It's nice to meet you in the flesh after years of seeing your face all over town.
It's funny. I get stopped on the street a lot, and every now and then, someone will say, "I can't believe you're a real person," or "I thought you were some kind of company."
How did you get started teaching guitar?
I've been playing guitar since I was 13 and would always give friends lessons, something I continued doing at NYU. After college, I worked a lot of odd jobs, mostly in the restaurant business: waiting tables, tending bar and ultimately managing a place. But I always I wanted to be in business for myself, doing something creative. That's more of who I am.
Why teaching?
It was always something I wanted to do. One of the main reasons I love teaching is because I learn a lot from it. Not just about playing guitar, but about the process of learning and how to make music overall. The distinction I am making is that my teaching is about more than how to put your fingers in the right place -- it's about how to develop a personal musicality. I use teaching to do that for myself.
However, I no longer teach people who are friends of mine. To be truly effective, I think there needs to be some professional distance. To that end, I don't hang out with my students. It tends to muddy the waters.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
