Phil Preece
Visit Phil Preece's personal site:
http://www.myspace.com/philpreece
Phil is a UK based rock guitarist and was born in Birmingham in 1984. He originally began playing the guitar at the age of 13 being influenced by bands such as Aerosmith, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. He originally began guitar lessons on a classical guitar given to him by his uncle at a very early age and would walk to a nearby school in order to receive fifteen minutes worth of tuition per week. This taught him the basics of the instrument and helped to solidify his love for music whilst also enabling him to play his first gig at the local town hall. After a while however Phil became thirsty for knowledge of the instrument and realised that fifteen minutes tuition per week just wasn’t enough. When he was 14 he began one on one guitar lessons with local rock guitarist Mike Smith who taught Phil the importance of correct technique and discipline involved with progressing on the instrument as well as developing Phil’s understanding of music theory. Throughout high school Phil studied music GCSE and formed his first rock band playing many gigs and even coming third in the school talent show. It was from this point on that Phil realised that he wanted to make a living from playing his guitar and set about devoting his life to music. Toward the end of high school Phil took work experience at a nearby music store which led to him getting a part time job after school and on weekends. After high school Phil went to college for three years to study both a First Diploma and National Diploma in music. Throughout this time Phil worked part time in two other music stores and participated in many sponsored events throughout the area and was later approached by his mentor and close friend Mike Smith to see if he would be interested in teaching some pupils on his behalf. Phil obliged and began to teach the up and coming guitarists of the area many of whom went on to form their own bands. When Phil was eighteen he had the opportunity to go and see the unforgettable Eric Roche playing live at Mikes Galleon Acoustic Club. After a long chat with Eric Phil became aware of the ACM Academy of Contemporary Music which seemed like the ideal place for him to further his knowledge of the guitar and be around other fellow like minded musicians. Phil originally participated in the ACM’s summer school programme and later went on to receive both a Higher Diploma and a B.A.(Hons) degree in Contemporary Popular Music. During this time he was taught by many of the country’s leading guitarists many of whom he made strong friendships with. Phil is currently based back home in Worcestershire and is currently teaching guitar both one on one and throughout various schools in the surrounding area. Phil continues to gig frequently and can often be seen playing live with popular London based covers band “Undiscovered”. Phil is also currently working along side up and coming producer Oliver Cameron and has just finished writing his first book entitled “The Modal Handbook” that offers guitarist’s a hands on approach as to the importance of modal playing. Phil is also currently busy producing local acts and has recently begun pre-production for his as yet unnamed debut instrumental solo CD.