Have you considered starting a hobby, such as music or art? Adding music to a household can be an effective therapeutic outlet to reduce stress in your life. For a child, music has been proven to improve academic learning and develop important motor skills.*

Foothills Suzuki Institute, offers local Suzuki lessons for violin, viola and cello. Foothills Suzuki Institute works out of the studios and concert rooms at Hammond Ashley Violins in Issaquah, WA. (For those who don’t live in the Greater Seattle area, check here for a Suzuki teacher in your area.)

The Suzuki Method was started by Dr. Shin’ichi Suzuki (1898-1998). Dr. Suzuki believed that every child could learn to play music the same way they learn to speak: starting at a young age and being immersed in the language/music. From this idea, Dr. Suzuki based his method of teaching violin on listening, repetition, parent involvement and starting the student at a young age. Just as every child can learn to speak, every child can learn to play the violin with the right instruction and lifestyle habits. Thus, the Suzuki Method is known as the “mother-tongue” method.

Suzuki students have weekly private lessons as well as periodic group lessons. In the group lessons, students are provided with a fun social environment where they can learn from each other, listen and watch other violinists and have the opportunity to play in front of others. Group lessons also encourage manners, community and discipline.

Although Dr. Suzuki was a violinist, the Suzuki Method has been adapted for many other instruments including: viola, cello, bass, piano, flute, harp, guitar and recorder.

While the Suzuki Method was created for preschool-aged students, the Foothills Suzuki Institute uses the Suzuki Method to teach students of all ages and levels.

Starting music lessons for a child can be beneficial for parents as well since the Suzuki Method relies heavily on parent involvement. In order to efficiently coach children in their daily practice, parents are encouraged to be involved at every private and group lesson.

Learning an instrument such as violin or cello will bring value to your life whether you or your child starts lessons. Don’t keep putting it off. Contact Hammond Ashley for more information today.

*For more on how music effects child development: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080429/EDU/804290312 and http://www.paulborgese.com/report_benefitofmusic.html

Hammond Ashley Violins is all about bringing quality music tools to the string communities of Seattle, Washington and San Diego, Calfornia.

Founded in 1964 by Hammond Ashley, the business began on the second floor of Ashley’s woodworking shop just south of the Seattle-Tacoma airport. Ashley’s background in engineering, woodworking and music made the perfect foundation for lutherie work. (Read more about founder Hammond Ashley here.)

After Hammond Ashley died in 1993, his grandson, Paul Ashley, took on the business, which had grown significantly and taken up shop on Des Moines Memorial Drive. In 2006, the business again moved to a shop with more space in Issaquah, Washington.

In February 1999, “Hammond Ashley Bass Violins” went online under the domain www.bassviolins.com. Here, they had a large inventory price list of instruments and their accessories. Customers could order these products by emailing or faxing their desired products and phoning in their credit card information.

Currently, Hammond Ashley Violins has two shops, one in Issaquah, Washington and one in San Diego, California. Both shops have recently moved location and are continuing to grow in business. They can be found online at www.hammondashley.com where customers can easily complete the entire rental process online and simply pick up their rental instruments at their school or in-store. Customers are encouraged to come in-store for the purchase of instruments, bows and accessories where professional staff will help find the perfect instrument for each individual.

Hammond Ashley violins’ specialty is in sales and rentals of high quality stringed instruments. Both stores are lined with hand-picked instruments and bows from all around the world that customers can play and compare in a friendly and comfortable environment. Before deciding on the purchase or rental of any stringed instrument, customers are encouraged to take the instruments and/or bows home to play for their teacher’s input. The store also includes a workshop where stringed instruments are set up, adjusted and repaired before and after purchase. Instruments purchased elsewhere can also be brought to the workshop.

Passion for musicians is not limited to Hammond Ashley Violins’ walk-in customers. Their outreach extends to schools and the string community around them. Throughout the years, Hammond Ashley Violins has sponsored master classes, workshops, summer camps and festivals, concerts and contests. They have a school outreach program whose goal is to educate students and teachers on topics such as care and maintenance of string instruments and how to select an instrument or bow.

Hammond Ashley Violins offers reliable referrals for professional private string instructors for any skill level or age. In fact, most of the business to Hammond Ashley Violins comes from private string teachers and their students. This is because Hammond Ashley Violins

• sells only the best quality instruments, bows and their accessories,
• provides professional service,
• guarantees their work,
• provides personal assistance and help with difficult questions like “what do I look for when searching for a bow?” and
• provides a rental program that builds equity for future purchases.

Hammond Ashley Violins is a worry-free dream for any music teacher.