What is Niibori (N) Method?
Kiyomi Niibori (a member of NE & Ladies' Quartet, Master of Arts in Music)
"Niibori (N) Method" is introduced here for this time.
Niibori Method is consisted of Scientific aspect‚ and Ideological aspect.
Scientific aspect
It is consisted of following 5 fields.
#1 Field of musical score
#2 Field of way of performing
#3 Field of musical instruments
#4 Field of education
#5 Field of system
#1 Field of musical score is a professional field, not easy to see from outside.
It is a special field of musical score, thought and created by Dr. Hiroki Niibori
as an artist to generalize (brought to practical use) equation of musical expression,
new organization of musical instruments, arrangements and conducting for original
guitars of each sound range resulting strong impression. It will be remarkably
made sure especially in musical scores of NRM etc. Symbols, marks and indications
of special way of performance for each instrument (part) were originally made.
It is the most important field with continuous progress and this is the base (driving
force) of Niibori Group.
#2 Field of way of performing is also not easy to note. Using new musical score
of #1 to give new force and delicate feeling to charming orchestra of guitar family,
ways of performing soprano guitar, alto guitar, cembalo guitar requiring somewhat
different way of performing, bass guitar and contrabass guitar, and furthermore
Niibori - touch of right fingers for traditional (prime) guitar, all of those
ways of performing are included. Most of peoples heard solo, ensemble and orchestra
performed by players learned N-Method impressed strongly, saying "felt impressive
force unbelievably with guitars". The secret is: development of performing
method for mainly single sound (cf. field of musical score) with giving twisting
force for string using finger of rather short nail (based on Segovia's method).
Special way of performing such as tremolo only in guitar orchestra was also developed.
#3 Field of musical instrument is easy to note. Original guitars developed and
put in to practical use by Dr. Niibori reached 27 kinds (at present, 2007). Piccolo
guitar, sopranino guitar, soprano guitar, alto guitar for high range of sound,
bass guitar, contrabass guitar, guitarron (with endpin for performance with standing)
for low range of sound, cembalo guitars with single and double stringed (sound
ranges for alto, prime and base), alto electric guitar for high range of sound,
bass electric guitar for a octave lower range of bass guitar were put in to practical
use. All of those guitars standardized as Åu6 courseÅv, Åuperfect
interval among instrumentsÅvand Åuinterval among strings are the same
ratio of prime guitarÅvto make it possible to play solo and ensemble easily
for anyone at will. Now they became popular in overseas also and guitars for each
sound range are made by foreign master craftsmen.
#4 Field of education is well known. Now, Niibori Guitar performs not only guitars
but also vocals, piano, recorder, flute and keyboard guitar (Taishogoto in Niibori
Method) are performed with guitars to enjoy and promote music. Students of any
field learn traditional guitar and ensemble, and "method enjoying all genre
of music through one's life" is firmly established rather than making musician
playing only one kind of instrument as in the past. The method of education to
enjoy music for every one forever even for one left the team is famous.
The place to learn Niibori Method is divided into 2 kinds.
The one is Niibori Guitar Music School for one's hobby. Another one is vocational
college = (Educational Foundation Niibori Gakuen) International Niibori Guitar
Music Academy and Nihon Guitar Music Conservatory = N-School learning more deeply
to become professionals. You can learn "conducting" for guitar orchestra
including method of instruction in those vocational colleges. It is possible to
get "The first grade license of guitar professional" and Japanese national
certification of "Kodo-Senmon-shi" (High Grade Specialist). These colleges
accept foreign students and graduates, after getting diploma, opening classes
of Niibori Method in their mother country playing active part as teachers of guitar
and music are increasing.
#5 System indicates all kind of system to bring up and succeed #1 to #4 eternally.
Method of opening classes, planning and opening concerts, education for freshmen
and instructors, life support for musicians, opening conference and tax affairs
for music class, all data in the past were put in order and excellent system has
been completed from repetition of bringing up and succession of past extracts.
Data of each section and organization are reported and reflected in the system,
and results of the field (= brought up items) will be highly evaluated. (This
aspect will not be clearly seen by musicians.)
Above mentioned items are Scientific aspects. N-Method was awarded as "International
Grand Prix '95" by World Scientific Council in July, 1995. (World Scientific
Council, established in 1950, is world wide organization in scientific field consisted
of presidents of 78 universities and doctors in 13 countries in the world.)
Ideological aspect
N-Group has been consistently operated under the motto of "serve good music
to be your nourishment for your soul" since it's establishment, and that
is it. That is easily understood. It is the founder's ideology, reason of establishment
and the philosophy. Establishing schools in Japan, public schools will be opened
or closed by national policy and increase or decrease of population, and private
schools will be established by irresistible belief (Philosophy) of founders with
contribution of their private properties to get approvals. Dr. Niibori had tragic
experience in his primary school age and usually dreamed of "making utopia
with music". Thinking "spreading music in high quality is the first
step to shaking hands going beyond borders, human races, religions, poverty and
wealth" and eagerly thought "spreading guitar orchestra making close
cooperation of every body". Development of instruments, design of musical
scores, establishment of guitar orchestra, all of these were actual process for
bringing philosophy come true. It can be said that the ideology and philosophy
were accepted to get many teachers and students. In 1995, Honolulu University,
with official recognition by the Department of the State of U.S.A., gave Doctor
of Philosophy for Dr. Niibori's ideology of world peace.
Dr. Niibori and N-Orchestra acting under the ideology of peace, awarded by United
Nation's NGO (Committee of Disarmament) in 2001, "Distinguished Service Medal
for World Peace" by International Academy in 2003, many other letters of
thanks and prizes, and blessing by Dalai Lama His Grace (XIV) in 2006 and the
Pope (John Paul II and Benedict XVI) in 2007.
For questions, advice & requests about Monthly Harmony,
Niibori Guitar Music Academy, Editorial Office
143-14 Fujisawa, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa-ken,
251-0052 Japan
Phone: +81-466-23-8338 / Fax: +81-466-23-9337
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