CUSTOM-FIT DRUM LESSONS
ABOUT
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WHAT IS THE DRUM LAB?
Drum lessons at The Drum Lab Music School in Seattle are customized for individual drumming goals, learning styles and skill levels. Contact me to schedule drum lessons!
No two musicians are the same or have the same journey. Whether you are just starting out, or you’ve been playing for 30 years, I respect you and I respect your music journey. I am grateful to all of my students, who challenge me to think about drumming concepts in new creative ways that make me a better teacher and drummer.
ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
To use a science metaphor, drumming skills are basic elements, and when creatively combined they form exciting compounds of rhythm and music. You can think of it like discovering your own drumming periodic table, and envisioning all of the molecular compounds you can build with them.
SKILL TIMES INFINITY
LAB = Listen (study) + Apply (practice) + Build (skill + skill). This process yields compound results over time. Each skill has a synergistic power when combined with other drumming skills, so the longer you invest in the process, the more dramatic the exponential rewards.
After you prove this to yourself, it is an amazing motivator, because you know that your efforts will yield quantifiable results.
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ABOUT ME
ESTEBAN ROYBAL
I am a musician, an entertainer, a teacher, and a dad.
LIFELONG LEARNING
I believe the keys to success are not found in natural ability or talent, instead they are found in passion, humility, and determination. Drumming did not come naturally to me as it did for some of my peers. I had to work hard, and I gained valuable insights into how to learn effectively. My own learning experiences make it easier for me to help my students at The Drum Lab.
The best musicians are always students. The great Neil Peart, even when at the top of his game as a professional drummer for the rock band Rush, studied under Peter Erskine, world-renowned jazz musician. It takes humility to be one of the greatest rock drummers in history and still continue to take lessons.
With the right practice technique, good old-fashioned hard work can overcome any obstacle, disability, or challenge.
EDUCATION
In college I trained with Dan Bukvich at the Lionel Hampton School of Music. During that time I practiced three hours a day, perfecting an original seventy-minute metal symphony that I performed with a choir and orchestra of fifty music students. As a right-of-passage, I was also in an original band that gigged around our college town.
As I believe a drummer is never finished learning, I have continued to study with a variety of experts, including the late great world class clinician, Garey Williams, whom I deeply miss as a mentor and friend.
TEACHING
After earning my communications degree, I worked as a developmental specialist designing educational therapy programs for adults and children with special needs. I loved the people and the work and I still stop in when I visit Moscow.
DRUMMING
Pursuing drumming led me to Seattle, where I’ve been traveling around the Northwest performing classic rock, top 40’s, 80’s glam rock, 70’s disco tribute, pop, country, big band, and combo jazz. I’ve enjoyed playing fairs, fundraisers, wineries, weddings, corporate gigs, casinos, and quirky bars like Greenlake’s Little Red Hen. In addition to live performances, I collaborate on original fusion compositions and studio recording projects with fellow artists.
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TESTIMONIALS
WHAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE SAYING
CUSTOM-CRAFTED LEARNING
Esteban is incredibly experienced—throughout my time working with him, he has been able to identify my needs and gaps as a student of the drums, and craft appropriate exercises and practice routines that have helped me improve tremendously. I really enjoy the time I spend with him, as it has allowed me to grow my technical drumming skills, but also develop as a better musician overall.
DEEP KAPUR
Drum Student
QUALITY MUSICIAN
Quality human being. Total pro. When you don’t notice him, it’s because he’s playing exactly what needs to be played. When you do notice him, it’s because it’s exactly the right time for that to happen. He cares about the details, and that’s what you want in a drummer. Somebody who notices little details that will make your band step when it needs to step, roll when it needs to roll, and knock you out when it needs to knock you out.
As a bass player, I absolutely love playing with Esteban. As a fellow drummer myself, I can honestly say the gigs I play with him are the only times I truly can stop thinking and just let the music happen. He’s my drummer! If you need a real musician back there… he’s definitely your guy.
MATT BENNET
Drums and Bass
GREAT TEACHER + ROLE MODEL
Esteban perfectly balances kindness and firmness with our 8-year-old-son and is helping to create a strong foundation for him to learn and love music. Esteban mixes core skills using the practice pad and playing skills on the drum set just right, so my son never gets bored. His choice of books and homework assignments are thoughtful and reinforces the lessons at home.
He is always organized and on time and is flexible with our busy family schedule, even doing lessons via Facetime in a pinch, which has worked out great and keeps the learning momentum going. He’s a great role model in addition to a great teacher, and we feel lucky to have found him.
CHRIS & MELISSA CABLE,
Parents of 8-Year-Old Student
BRINGS OUT THE BEST
MORGAN WICK,
Lead Guitar Side One Band
TEACHES A VARIETY OF STYLES
RICHARD WALKER,
Drum Student
PRACTICES TO PERFECTION
Esteban’s attitude is always A+ and he is ALWAYS on time, usually early. As far as his equipment is concerned, he has top notch, good looking gear that he takes great pride in keeping maintained to the highest degree.
Now for the best part, Esteban is easily one of the finest drummers in the West. Esteban can play a wide variety of music Perfectly. He practices all the material to perfection, staying true to all aspects of the song, yet can extend a song on a whim, and all keeping the groove with the band.
BRIAN GREEN,
Brian Green Band
MAKES LEARNING EASIER
I have been taking drum lessons from Esteban for 4 years, and find him to be an excellent teacher.
- He puts a strong emphasis on using proper technique, and because of it my own technique has improved immensely.
- When he teaches me something new, he also teaches me how and when to use it.
- He tells me how I should practice the things I learn so I can improve faster and learn more skills.
- When he is working with me he is patient and answers my questions thoroughly.
- He knows how to play and teach many types and styles of music
- When I play something, he gives me helpful feedback, advice, and constructive criticism all in a positive way.
- Instead of only teaching me lots of separate beats, he teaches me techniques that I can use to make learning new beats easier.
- He also teaches me common baseline beats so that I can build off of them using the skills I’ve learned.
- Finally, he teaches good hands and feet independence, enabling syncopation between them.
Overall, I have become a much better drummer working with Esteban.
EVAN,
Teen Drum Student
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I just have to brag about Evan. His high school band was one of 15 in the nation chosen to perform at New York’s Lincoln Center in the 28th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition. Evan has been studying with me for eight years, how time flies! Now he is actively performing with one of the best high school big bands in the Pacific Northwest. It has been an absolute joy to see him grow over the years, tackling each new concept, chasing his musical ambitions, meeting milestones. As one scholar of drumming to another, Evan, I salute you.