ALGORITHM MEMORIZATION

ALGORITHM MEMORIZATION/RECOGNITION

*NOTE*

I've written a tutorial already, but I'm not happy with it. This will be my second effort in this very important part of cubing. I hope to cover every aspect of the process.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I	INTRO
II	CHOOSING AN ALGORITHM
III	ALGORITHM PREPERATION
IV	STEP 1: TRIGGERS
V	STEP 2: VISUAL
VI	STEP 3: PRACTICE
VII	PACING
VIII	END NOTE

I. INTRO

There are a variety of different puzzles available for the cubing community. And while I'd like to touch specifically on all of these puzzles, it's difficult to find the time for such an effort. The majority of the advice I'm offering translates well enough to all puzzles however. This tutorial is not a public claim that I am an expert in memorization. It is only meant to provide help for those that can find wisdom in it. For some, memorization is a simple endeavor. For others, like myself, it can seem overwhelming. When I first started cubing, memorizing an algorithm was a thirty minute investment. After over two years of trial and error I can memorize an algorithm with confidence in under ninety seconds. Whether you are new to cubing or a seasoned veteran, I welcome you to my tutorial. I hope everyone finds something useful here.

II. CHOOSING AN ALGORITHM

This section has nothing to do with the process of memorization. However, I feel it's neccessary to discuss this part of cubing. When choosing an algorithm for any case, do your research! The internet is wonderful, as it provides us with countless algorithms for many puzzles. Choose the one that best suites you! As the community evolves, even more algs are becoming available. Keep your eyes open! Remember, the consequences are plentiful for you, if you're hasty in choosing an algorithm. Because of my own haste, I've had to relearn almost all of my original algs. In due time every cuber developes a unique turning style. Ideally you want a algorithm with plenty of triggers and a minimal amount of grip changes.

III. ALGORITHM PREPERATION

Before you start learning your alg, some time should be taken for preperation. Find your potential alg, and look it over for triggers (and quickly for those who are unsure, a trigger is a small group of fluid turns). Most sites have triggers shown in parenthesis, or seperated by dash marks. These are suggested triggers by someone else. The alg might be good for you, but the way the turns are grouped may not be. Here is an example:

U R'U'R U'R - U R U'R'U R - U R2 U'R'U (found on Katsu's Site-> http://www.planet-puzzle.com/ )

This is a nice permutation to know, but it's 17 turns! This is where grouping by triggers comes in handy. Notice the alg, it is seperated into 3 groups. [ 6 - 6 - 5 ] I prefer breaking down my algorithms a bit further. This is how I'd seperate this alg:

(U R'U')	(R U'R)	(U)	(R U'R'U)	(R U)	(R2 U'R'U)
1	2	3	4	5	6

I've seperated this alg into six different sections. I've got my algorithm seperated to meet my taste, and it's time to move on.

IV. STEP 1: TRIGGERS

Triggers are essential in the fast execution of an alg. Here are some common triggers:

R U R'
R U' R'U
R U'R
R U'R'

The list could go on on for a long time, but I hope this gives you an idea. Triggers are usually performed with one hand without changing the grip on your cube. Another common thing is that the turns being made are on two adjacent faces. After becoming more familiar with the cube, triggers won't elude you at first sight. The importance of triggers than exist on many levels. First, they provides an easier task for memorization. Second, they provides faster execution.

Let's take a look at the alg I provided earlier:

(U R'U')	(R U'R)	(U)	(R U'R'U)	(R U)	(R2 U'R'U)
1	2	3	4	5	6

Sections 1, 2, 4, & 6 are all triggers. Sections 3 & 5 are fillers.

Practice and memorize each section seperately. Become familiar and confident with every trigger in the alg. Because you are learning small pieces of information at a time (3-4 turns), it isn't so difficult. Here's a simplified look at the process:

Step 1: Learn trigger #1 (U R'U')
Step 2: Practice this trigger until you're confident.
Step 3: Move on to next section, repeat steps 1 & 2.

After you've become confident in every section, start piecing them together. A simplified look at this process:

Step 1: Combine triggers 1 & 2 [ (U R'U')(R U'R)]

At this point you would practice the first six turns until you were confident in executing them. You would continue to add the following section on until you had covered the whole algorithm:

Step 2: Combine [1,2] with [3]
Step 3: Combine [1,2,3] with [4]

Et Cetera

V. STEP 2: VISUAL

Take plenty of time after memorizing your algorithm to become familiar with the case it solves. Your recognition time is going to be unreasonable if you don't practice this! Know the case from every possible angle!

VI. STEP 3: PRACTICE

Practice, practice, practice! No, you'll never stop hearing this! :P When I learn a new alg often times I'll repeat it 20-30 times a day until it is concrete in my mind. At some point the hesitation will subside in executing a case, and your hands will do all the work. This is comaparable to tying your shoelace. When you first learned when you were a kid, you had to think about it. After you've done it enough times you don't even think about it.

VII. PACING

We all learn at our own pace. Some extraordinary cubers can learn 15-20 cases a week. Others, not as much ;) like me for example... If you are new to cubing, try this:

Learn one new alg on Monday, Wednsday, and Friday. Practice the three algs you've learned on Saturday and Sunday.

Of course this is just an example of what you could do. It's a nice base though. If you feel you can learn more algs, adjust accordingly. Just make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew. If you learn too many for yourself, you run the risk of forgetting the cases, dealing with poor recognition time, and stalling in execution. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!

VIII. END NOTE

If you were eager to improve your memorization in some way, I hope this brief tutorial worked. :) If you have any ideas, tips, hints, etc. that you want to share, I welcome all emails: richy_jr_2000@yahoo.com

I will update this tutorial as often as possible, and whenever someone has contributed something new.

Updated: 10 April 2005