My dentist through these years was Dr. Francis Spickerman, a well-known dentist in the Rockford area and sometimes referred to as the msuicians’ dentist. In the course of discussing music with him during one of my appointments I asked him if he thought it would be worth while for me to take issue with physiology [...]
Author Archives: clif
“Over the next several weeks, we will be posting the origin of Anatowind, by Joseph C. Simmons.”
January 11, 2011 – 11:15 pm
“Over the next several weeks, we will be posting the origin of Anatowind, by Joseph C. Simmons.”
January 8, 2011 – 7:07 pm
Towards the end of my time in the army band, and with the gradual discharge of soldiers, there was a need for french horn players so I was asked to play that instrument. My progress on that went extremely well and I played first horn in the Rockford Symphony in its early stages. My attachment [...]
“Over the next several weeks, we will be posting the origin of Anatowind, by Joseph C. Simmons.”
January 6, 2011 – 1:03 am
I was drafted into the army in 1942 and was fortunate to be associated with a fine army band, the 345th, located in Rockford, Illinois and also known as the Camp Grant Band. Several players from the Rockford area were in this outstanding organization plus a great many players from top symphonies in the country [...]
“Over the next several weeks, we will be posting the origin of Anatowind, by Joseph C. Simmons.”
January 3, 2011 – 2:43 am
After high school I enrolled at Southern Illinois University and played tuba well enough to earn a music scholarship. However as a freshman I found upper classmen beyond me on physiological growth. The band director was a good friend of mine musically and was very encouraging that I continue to struggle with the instrument. Even [...]
“Over the next several weeks, we will be posting the origin of Anatowind, by Joseph C. Simmons.”
December 31, 2010 – 1:35 pm
The term Anatowind was coined from words “anatomy” and “wind” as referred to in wind instruments. However, there is some personal history prior to the start of Anatownd that I would like to share.
I started my music experience as a brass player around 1933. My personal progress in music seemed very normal in the [...]
Interest in Music
November 29, 2010 – 11:44 pm
Each individual is affected by the music he or she performs. To interpret the effect that a performer’s music has upon the self is a broad and varying subject, with many associated conditions. The range of reaction includes at one extreme those who don’t care and at the other extreme those who are very sensitive [...]
Anatowind Basic Structure
October 27, 2010 – 11:52 pm
This leads to the basic structure of the total Anatowind program. First, there is the individual to be taught, whose physiology is the basis for his entire musical experience, meaning that music originates within the physical self.
Second, an instrument is needed to transform the musical vibrations created within the player’s physiology into an aural musical mode. [...]
The Role of the Musical Parent
September 30, 2010 – 10:14 am
Not much has been written to assist the musical parents in their efforts to understand a role that would be helpful in a supportive way. The child needs support in the music the same as his or her academic endeavors. Just what is this parental role?
When a child blows an [...]
Anatowind Update:
August 27, 2010 – 11:06 pm
Periodically we will post excerpts from “History, Theory, and Practice of Anatowind”. Following is the excerpt:
Anatowind then is prepared to state the following scientific principle as related to performance — “For any music score to receive a proper interpretation that is to reflect the aesthetic intentions of the composer, it is necessary, in the scientific [...]
Tone Production
June 3, 2010 – 10:19 pm
Tom Burt, Band Director, Medford Middle School, Medford, WI
The following example took place during a group lesson with 12 seventh grade
students:
A particular student on Cornet was having difficulty producing an open tone. As
I reminded him about his under bite we discovered that his tone was a direct
result of that jaw position. I sent him to [...]
Anatowind to the rescue
March 22, 2010 – 10:49 pm
http://www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2010/03/20/your_community/stories/living032001.txt
Published: Saturday, March 20, 2010 2:59 AM CDT
Reporter learns she can make musicBy Hillary Gavan
hgavan@beloitdailynews.com
Enter at your own risk.
This story starts with a misfit child and ends with a clarinet.
People always ask me if I have “any good stories” I’m working on. The best stories are the newly discovered people or ideas that you [...]
Anatowind Clinic Operation Guide
March 16, 2010 – 11:17 pm
The Anatowind Clinic Operation Guide will soon be on our web-site. The following paragraph explains how we feel this will help a person update their musical situation.
James Simmons
Clinic Director
From the Clinic Operation Guide..
(Anatowind studies the performance of the individual and isolates the various factors so that the performer will know the exact contribution of each area [...]
A New Concept
March 4, 2010 – 11:43 pm
The following is an excerpt from “The History, Theory, and Practice of Anatowind” written by the late Joseph Simmons.
“A New Concept - In the history of Anatowind, a basic concept was established: In as much as all players have different teeth, lip, and jaw structures, it is going to be impossible to take any one [...]
Web Site Update
January 21, 2010 – 1:37 am
Under “Tom’s Corner” you will find a report that Tom Burt wrote about a student’s embouchure and how he is using his new strobe to help.
James Simmons, Clinic Director
Coming Soon
December 16, 2009 – 12:23 am
As Anatowind enters 2010 we will have on our web site our complete Operation Guide. The Anatowind Clinic catalog (Operation Guide) is an explanation of the origin, intent, and procedure of the Anatowind Clinic. This catalog will give the academic qualifications in the operation of Anatowind, thus giving an example of how the science operates [...]
Clinic Session
November 11, 2009 – 11:02 pm
Today I would like to talk about student’s responses from Jim Simmons’ visit to Medford to work with students. The main purpose was to establish some records on students for further discussion, and primarily those students who came forward with questions about their playing. It was interesting to note that only one student came up [...]
Anatowind Update
November 4, 2009 – 11:27 pm
Recently the Clinic had a chance to enroll a student using Clinical procedure. This involved receiving a phone call inquiring of interest to study.
Following clinical procedure we arranged a conference at no charge to discuss our program and to learn about the student.
We then had the parent come back after the initial consultationt to sit [...]
Practical Music Theory
November 4, 2009 – 11:25 pm
Music has always been an important part of my life. Dad played several instruments and mom listened to records all the time. I started music lessons on drums when school offered them, if you wanted to learn to play a horn you had to wait until the next year.
My interest in music continued until high [...]
Concepts of Tone
October 22, 2009 – 11:01 pm
Last evening I had a first rehearsal with a group I have started to play with on a weekly basis and was struck by the contrast between conventional concepts and Anatowind concepts of tone almost form the onset of rehearsal.
From taking our first tuning note and throughout the remainder of the rehearsal, it became clear [...]
Positive attitude about Instrumental Music
October 1, 2009 – 1:06 am
Band directors, have you ever had a student come up to you and say “I want to
quit”
What is your response as the teacher? What do you say to them? Do you ask why?
There are two ways to which you can respond to this comment from the student.
The first is to just brush it off and [...]
