Thumbs and IIDX

mightyjon-o · 06-03-2008, 12:06 AM

I've been watching better IIDX players and they all seem to play with their thumbs. This is where my paranoia has set in. I'm at the 6-7 wall and worried that not using my thumbs is the main hinderence of not advancing further. Should I care what fingers I use? Should I just keep playing with what's comfortable? Or will I just start using thumbs automatically when charts become crowded enough?

stoopidamerican · 06-03-2008, 01:08 AM

i would also like know about using thumbs as i'm stuck on hyper 10s and 11s

iidx utj · 06-03-2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightyjon-o

I've been watching better IIDX players and they all seem to play with their thumbs. This is where my paranoia has set in. I'm at the 6-7 wall and worried that not using my thumbs is the main hinderence of not advancing further. Should I care what fingers I use? Should I just keep playing with what's comfortable? Or will I just start using thumbs automatically when charts become crowded enough?

Every player has their own play style. For most people, it is a plus to implement thumbs in their game. To tell you the truth, the more fingers you use the more easier it is to hit chords and scales. However, I do see some people pivoting from white to black key with their index finger. Try mixing it up a bit.

If you implement thumbs in your game without being discouraged of your scores dropping, you will advance a lot quicker in the end. When using random you will see chords like 4+5+6+7. The most common way people hit those type of chords is if they use index, thumb, middle, ring fingers.

Again its all practice.

Solefald · 06-03-2008, 02:16 AM

Yes, not using your thumbs is hindering you, but I'm not going to give a long, drawn-out explanation.

Your thumbs are very strong fingers that are at a very convenient angle to your other four fingers. Use them.

my58vw · 06-03-2008, 02:29 AM

Playing piano, thumbs are a key part of playing, and is the same on iidx. I always use my right thumb, and at times use my left thumb on 1/2 chords, fast runs. I am actually moving more towards finger usage as I get better, I am at the 8/9 wall right now.

RemK313 · 06-03-2008, 05:23 AM

I've started using thumbs... I have a weird style in that I sometimes use my left hand to cover the 1,2,3,4 keys with my left thumb covering the 4 key. I kinda make a claw with my right thumb, index finger, and middle finger. I'll use my right pinky to scratch (I play 2p side). I'm stuck at 10s/11s... most because of my inability to scratch and do full scales quickly.

I'll say this about thumbs, is that when you first add them in, and you start using more fingers than there are keys, you'll sometimes try to hit a key with both hands.. it'll happen, and as you play more it'll happen less.

I don't know, ask 702vgta what his strategy is.

chubbbz · 06-03-2008, 08:27 AM

yes they do help.
I was at a 6-7 wall then I used thumbs and now I can pass a few 9s

cupcake · 06-03-2008, 09:15 AM

I played for over a year without using my thumbs. I must have quit for a while - a year or two? then I came back to IIDX using thumbs, and within weeks was better than ever, hitting patterns seemingly without even trying that I could never keep up with no matter how many times I tried before.

MC FUMBLENUTS · 06-03-2008, 12:11 PM

I use my right thumb liberally, but never my left one.

I should change this.

Deca · 06-03-2008, 01:32 PM

I've always used my right thumb, it's home position is usually 3. i have a pretty weird playstyle because I spent a lot of time playing beatmania exclusively one handed before I ever played IIDX at all. My left hand usually only takes the 1 key and sometimes the 2, but I've changed more and more the longer I've played. You just kind of move your hands however you need to to play the song.

I should try working my left thumb in more but it always feels really crowded and awkward when I do.

Zemata · 06-03-2008, 03:57 PM

On 1p side I only use my left thumb for 2 and left pointer finger for one. My right hand gets all the other keys.

Alonso · 06-03-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zemata

On 1p side I only use my left thumb for 2 and left pointer finger for one. My right hand gets all the other keys.

Your left thumb for 2? is your hand backwards?

Koushiro_Izumi · 06-03-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alonso

Your left thumb for 2? is your hand backwards?

Hahaha, I think he meant the other way around, but that is a rather funny image. =P As for me, I NEVER use my thumbs, it just seems too awkward for me. I'm at the 10/11 wall on hyper now though, so maybe implementing my thumbs into the harder 10s and the 11s would help me pass them.

It's really all personal preference though...

*ranatalus* · 06-03-2008, 06:02 PM

i use my thumb very infrequently for odd mashes of stuff like 1+2+3 or 5+6+7

Koushiro_Izumi · 06-03-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranatalus

i use my thumb very infrequently for odd mashes of stuff like 1+2+3 or 5+6+7

lol i just open-palm slam those 3 keys if it's a triple-chord like that and I usually never miss. XP