If you are looking for a guitar teacher in Ogden, or a drum teacher in Ogden, you have come to the right place! Phil Secrist, in addition to being a part-time Luthier, or guitar maker of fine Utah handmade acoustic guitars, also teaches snare drum and percussion, drum set, and acoustic guitar lessons. His teaching studio, guitar repair and custom guitar shop is located at his residence in North Ogden. Phil has taught guitar and drums to students of all ages for more than four decades. His many years of teaching experience has not only helped him develop the skills and techniques to be a successful teacher, but he has created learning methods and practice exercises that are fun and get the student playing from the get go!
Phil started playing the drums at age five. He played in his very first group with a friend at age 12 called “The Undecideds”. His talent and skill grew as he went on to play various drums and percussion instruments in Junior High and High school concert bands, marching bands, and stage bands. He joined his first rock band at age 15 and then formed his own rock band called “Union Blue” at age 16. Phil is currently the co-founder, leader, and drummer for the classic rock group “Phil ‘n’ The Blanks”, which recently performed at the Cherry Days Stadium Pre-fireworks show on the 4th of July in North Ogden.
In addition to performing in various bands, he has performed with many musical combos in community theater musical, school, and church productions. Phil is an accomplished percussionist that teaches beginning through advanced levels in many rhythmic styles including Jazz, Swing, Rock, Country, Latin, Reggae, and Funk. His lessons not only teach snare drum, percussion, and drum set rhythms and techniques, but also drum notation reading and writing, soloing, and playing with others in a group setting.
Phil began the guitar at age 12, performing at various family and church gatherings. He continued to perform with friends at weddings, school, and community events through high school and college. He has written a number of original songs on the guitar, including a song released on an album by the Utah based professional singing group Sun Shade N” Rain, who performed the song in concert at th Salt Palace in Salt Lake City in the ’70s. Phil is currently a member of the acoustic guitar trio “TOGWOG”. He continues to hone his guitar skills by performing, attending clinics, and teaching others to play. He teaches beginning through intermediate level technique in both finger-style (finger picking) and pick-style (pick strumming) methods for acoustic and electric guitar and in many styles, including folk, rock, latin, country, swing, and blues.