The Pop'n Music Beginner/Tech Thread

**ratna** · 06-19-2006, 06:01 PM

The idea came from the old BMS thread on beginning/techniques. If I shouldn't post this because it already has been or for whatever reason, mods, feel free to delete.

Also I'll write as much as I can, but because I'm barely hitting the 30s, I think players with much more experience (Kaze, Random, Arctures, et cetera) would be best in providing tips on this thread.

My first tip:
I'd suggest to NOT START OUT IN 5 BUTTON MODE. You'll thank yourself later, because even if you do start out in 5 button mode you'll have to relearn completely when you get to 9 button mode. Start off, obviously, with easy songs and get a feel for where the buttons are. If you have Pop'n 12 you can start out in Enjoy Mode(watered down versions of some 9-line songs). Otherwise I'd suggest anything around 10-11 or lower if possible.

Tip 2:
Memorize where the buttons are, and don't look down at the controller once you do. This is probably self-explanatory, but I just thought I would emphasize this.

Tip 3:
HI-SPEED IS YOUR FRIEND. If you aren't able to read at high speeds, I would advise you get used to doing so as soon as you can. Spacing out the notes in ANY bemani game will more than likely make your job easier-- this holds very very true for Pop'n.

Tip 4:
Get used to moving your hands. Fast. Really fast. I mean by the time you get to about 27 or 28, your hands should be flying. Or maybe that's how I percieve mine.

Ok, I don't want to postwhore with more of my (probably useless) tips so I'll leave the rest of the work to the more experienced players. Post your problems or walls here too, I guess.

>>>Owen edit: Let's see if I stickied this properly...

Azure · 06-19-2006, 06:19 PM

Nice, this thread should really come in handy. Do you getting used to hitting the buttons with fingers or palms?

**ratna** · 06-19-2006, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Nice, this thread should really come in handy. Do you getting used to hitting the buttons with fingers or palms?

Since I use a Ransai ASC, I'm more used to using my palms to hit the buttons, it's possible that i'll use my fingers for fast streams of notes. I remember using my fingers with Gamelan Hyper and with Flow Beat and UK Hit Chart Normal, but other than that I use my palms extensively.

Arctures · 06-19-2006, 07:54 PM

When I started out I primarily used my palms, except for the 1-handed chords. But as the game speeds up and gets more stamina draining, it's much more advantageous to use your fingers; what comes to mind is Hong-Kong Euro EX, with the large amount of right hand action. Wrist rotation also is a very key factor for things like 1-handed rolls (I've noticed several japanese videos where the hand just goes back and forth, which is very energy draining) and jackhammers (I could explain this one if you want if you didn't catch it before).

yahoodood · 06-19-2006, 09:31 PM

How do you players go about doing really fast scales accurately?

I find this is difficult, and although i can do fast scales, i generally get goods on it, and that annoys me ^_^;

I think I tend to use my fingers a lot on scales and kind of do them if you were doing chromatic scales on the piano. (ie thumb and middle finger )

Malev · 06-19-2006, 09:56 PM

I'm not sure of how to do rolls well. Maybe "walk" your hands across the controller (maybe possible on an ASC...).

Also, a neat trick for hitting 2~3 nearby buttons at once is placing your hands in the gaps between the buttons. Case in point, ATHLETIC MEET Hyper smacking the White/Yellow/Green buttons.

Arctures · 06-19-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yahoodood

How do you players go about doing really fast scales accurately?

I find this is difficult, and although i can do fast scales, i generally get goods on it, and that annoys me ^_^;

I think I tend to use my fingers a lot on scales and kind of do them if you were doing chromatic scales on the piano. (ie thumb and middle finger )

All of my scales are done by wrist/finger alternations. That's the only way I found that can actually work, but if you find your own go along with it. And don't forget to practice.

animesuperj · 06-20-2006, 04:12 AM

Best thing I've found to do with anything hard on popn', is like anything else, practice! It took me a while to be able to do scales somewhat accuratly, but I still can't get them all Perfects. Almost there though.

I've found that once you get used to moving your hands really fast, and getting a good feel for moving hands fast and wrist-action, certain sections of songs become a lot easier. I've finally gotten down the fast tripplet notes that are next to eachother (white -> yellow -> green) like in Contemporary Nation 2 Hyper. Too bad that song gets a little harder at the end -__-. I'm SO close to passing it with a good score though, so not much longer.

I also don't know if other people have had this happen, maybe the other people who hit the controller really hard have. That after a while of playing (couple hours or so), my palms feel like their bruised on the inside and it hurts like hell. I've tried to start switching off using fingers at slower/easier parts, and then using palms at the harder parts. I've always found it easier to use my palms in general, and have worked on using fingers now.

Esseph · 06-20-2006, 06:34 PM

My friend gave me advice, and it helped me alot.

I had to make use of my Thumb and Pinky of both hands when playing, as well as my arm and elbow (yeah)

Since my area only has pop'n 6, I always play songs with random on. I still have yet to play harder songs with this technique though =/

Azure · 06-21-2006, 10:56 AM

When do you use your elbow/face?

otaku1313 · 06-21-2006, 12:28 PM

Azure: HAMO-ROCK EX and any 1-4-7/1-5-8/unreachable chord.

Arctures: Jackhammers explanation plz, I want to 99.5k Cyber Rockabilly EX :3

Malev: Your avatar is hawt. Do you have a full pic?

Hortence:The Muleface Mod · 06-21-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

When do you use your elbow/face?

After Pop'n 9 they stopped forcing you to use your elbows, except for repeat songs, because home ASCs were becoming much more popular then.

Arctures · 06-21-2006, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dewgy

After Pop'n 9 they stopped forcing you to use your elbows, except for repeat songs, because home ASCs were becoming much more popular then.

Pure HYPER hahaha
I've actually been practicing some of those single-handed stretcher chords (1-4, 5-8, etc). My handspan has improved so much after playing for a while. It also appears that my handspan is like a millimeter away from getting a 5-9 combination (by getting I mean actually touching both at the same time).

And now for Arkie's jackhammer explanation:
I have learned on ASC playing that one can treat jackhammers the same way they treat 1-handed rolls. It'll feel a little awkward at first, but it should help significantly (I've FC'd the BS Bebob EX patterns, so I at least know that it works). First, lemme tell you that it involves much more wrist movement than finger work. What I do is I span my fingers out and rotate my wrist back and forth, much like a roll. Use your thumb for one hit and your ring/pinky fingers for another. Keep in mind that this will involve a lot more wrist rotation than on a normal roll. Now you don't necessarily have to hit your hand on top of the button, which I find actually makes it more difficult; instead try hitting it more on the side.

I hope this helps; I'll try to get some pictures of it soon.

-mex- · 06-21-2006, 01:48 PM

I use the mini-con, I hook my fingers (two fingers together) and tap like that.

: / I don't like this lil con.

Arctures · 06-21-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mexicans

I use the mini-con, I hook my fingers (two fingers together) and tap like that.

: / I don't like this lil con.

If you want to double your speed, try alternating your fingers like a small IIDX roll, or use your thumb/middle finger and rotate your wrist for extra jackhammer action.