Arnauds 3x3x3 complete beginners tutorial

[AvGalen]

I got inspired to make a complete tutorial for beginners. So if you, your friend or your parents/kids ever wanted to learn how to solve the cube this might just be the best place to start. No knowledge beforehand is needed and after 1 hour of watching the video and 1 hour of practice you should be able to solve the cube entirely!

I don't go into detail about notation, but I explain moves like "Right side away", "Right side clockwise", "R" and like "Right side towards", "Right side counterclockwise", "R prime", "return the right side", etc. That way everyone should pick up notation along the way.

The method in this video is the most basic beginner method I could think of that would eventually get people into "optimal cross, intuitive corners, keyhole or intuitive F2L, 4 look last layer, 3 look last layer, 2 look last layer without any knowledge going to waste.

The algorithms I choose are all very fast, but also easy to understand and memorize. The speed and movecount depend a lot on the case you get. Some steps will require a lot of moves and repetitions if you get unlucky, but getting lucky also happens a lot. To give you an idea this is what I got
Cross: 6 + 5 = 11
Corner 1: 1 + 4 = 5
Corner 2: 1 + 12 = 13
Corner 3: 0 + 12 = 12
Corner 4: 0 + 12 = 12
Middle edge 1: 1 + 10 = 11
Middle edge 2: 0 + 10 = 10
Middle edge 3: 1 + 10 = 11
Middle edge 4: 1 + 10 = 11
Edge orientation: skipped
Corner orientation: 7 + 7 + 7 = 21
Corner permutation: skipped = 1
Edge permutation: 9 + 9 = 18
Total = 136

Another: (8 + 5) + (13 + 13 + 20 + 20) + (10 + 11 + 10 + 21) + 6 + 7 + 9 + 18
Total = 171

And execution time is about 45/50 seconds for me, but 2 or 3 minutes sounds more realistic for beginners after a couple days of practice.

I would really like for people to post video response of their (first) solves using this method

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial
-Basic explanation

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 1
-The cross

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 2
-Finish first layer

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 3
-Finish middle layer

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 4
-Orient edges

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 5
-Orient corners

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 6
-Permute corners

Complete beginners 3x3x3 tutorial - Step 7
-Permute edges (+demo)

 

[Dene]

I haven't time now so I've only watched the first two videos, but I must say this:

Firstly, there is a bit of ambiguity in your descriptions, with the problem being that English isn't your first language. The striking example here is when you're describing the sticker schemes. You say: "there is also the eastern way of stickers." To someone who has no idea what you're talking about, you could technically be interpreted as saying "the easterners worship their stickers in different ways." Of course, that would be a stupid interpretation, but for someone that didn't know beforehand, they aren't going to know after watching either. There are quite a few examples like this, where people are just going to get confused by your english.

Secondly, one thing I've noticed when trying to teach people to cube is that they can't even grasp the basic concept of rotations. You go straight into talking about moving edges here and there for the cross, and you do say that it won't be easy at first, but you leave it at that. When I was trying to teach a guy how to solve, he had a case where 3 pieces of the cross were solved, and the other on was on the top layer, with white NOT on the top, which is a case that requires 4 moves to correctly place. He couldn't grasp the concept of first move the piece into the middle layer, then adjust the bottom layer appropriately, then place in the cross. Personally, I think that is one of the most important concepts to grasp in cubing, and if you can get that part right, then the rest should come ok. So far I have never seen a tutorial where the basics of face rotations are addressed, despite them being absolutely fundamental to solving the cube. I recommend a step 0b, where you describe basic rotations, before you go into the solve.

Sorry to come down so hard, but I want you to have the BEST tutorial!!

 

[AvGalen]

About the english: I can't help it. Unless I make a script I will always make mistakes like that.

About the lack of basic explanation: That was a bit on purpose. I don't want everyone solving the cube without being able to do the first layer themselves. If you read the description you might have found that I say "you should be able to figure this out by yourself". Everything I am teaching assumes the person has actually experimented himself.

Teaching someone all tips and tricks about getting the first layer is extremely hard on a video and might take an hour. I want them to learn the basics from the video and learn the rest themselves.
(I don't like it when people can "solve" the magics in recordtime, but when it gets messed up they have no idea what to do)

 

[Erik]

Lol, awsome describtion though your English is funny sometimes
"This is the second thing I want to learn you" ..... TEACH
I know, my English isn't flawless of course, I don't mind the accent

 

[Mike Hughey]

(I don't like it when people can "solve" the magics in recordtime, but when it gets messed up they have no idea what to do)

I agree - that's why I just suggested scrambled Magic for a competition event.

My wife has a friend who wants me to write up instructions for solving for her young son. I'm going to do that but also point her to your videos here. My beginner teaching method isn't very different, so it should work well. I do a slightly different alg for step 3 (R U R U R U R' U' R' U' R2 - has the advantage of all 3 pieces being close together, but is unfortunately one extra move - I may switch to your alg for teaching, since it is even easier to remember), I use a slightly different version of the A perm (mirrored), and I use the typical BLD commutator for orienting corners instead of Sune. I've taught it to several kids under the age of 8 now, so I know it's not that hard to learn.

If the boy uses your videos, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[AvGalen]

Thanks Mike. Could you also let me know which parts of the video are to hard for him to understand? I would really like to get some feedback from a beginner. The reason I used Sune to orient corners is because there is no need to rotate the cube (I used to do x2, sexy move(s), D, etc) and because it makes the transition to a 4 look last layer easier.

 

[abbracadiabra]

I've only watched the first video since I'm at work and it really isn't cool for me to be watching videos at my desk (it gives people the impression that I'm goofing off). I'll go through the rest of the tutorial when I get home tonight. But my first impressions are very positive.

Honestly, Arnaud, I haven't got a problem in the world with your English. I can think of several Americans (that speak English as a native language) who would do well to take English lessons from you. Erik was right about "learn" vs. "teach", but that is SO minor. The sentence makes sense - anyone who hears it can understand it.

I particularly liked your light, fire and water analogies when referring to the color scheme. I've never thought of it that way, but it certainly makes sense. I always remembered it by adding yellow to each color to arrive at its opposite (i.e., red + yellow = orange; blue + yellow = green; and white + yellow = yellow).

I also liked that your first step (after explaining the different types of parts and pieces) was explaining how to take the cube apart and put it together again. I believe that once you *can* solve the cube - no matter how inefficient the method - you can start to experiment and learn things on your own. Most people are afraid to try because they think they won't be able to get the cube back to its solved state. So providing an easy "escape route" often offers that chance.

I would also suggest creating a text tutorial to use as an adjunct to the video. Some people learn well by watching and listening. Others (like me) do better when they can read and practice hands-on at their own pace. Creating a text tutuorial would target both kinds of learners, and offer everyone a quick reference guide, which is the one missing aspect from video tutorials.

 

[Mike Hughey]

Thanks Mike. Could you also let me know which parts of the video are to hard for him to understand? I would really like to get some feedback from a beginner. The reason I used Sune to orient corners is because there is no need to rotate the cube (I used to do x2, sexy move(s), D, etc) and because it makes the transition to a 4 look last layer easier.

I will do that, Arnaud. I hope I can get feedback from him.

The thing I dislike most about teaching R' D' R D for orienting corners is that it makes the transition to a 4 look last layer harder. The thing I like most about teaching R' D' R D for orienting corners is that it makes transition to 3x3x3 BLD with Macky's method easier. Oh, and the thing that my students dislike most about using R' D' R D for orienting corners is that it becomes the single step where they are most likely to make a mistake and wind up with a completely scrambled cube.

Oh, and I agree with abbracadiabra that I think your English is very easy to understand.

 

[fanwuq]

R' D' R D
I hate that. Probably because I first seen that on pogobat's video a few days before I started BLD. I thought it was very easy to forget the last D. and result with everything messed up.
I suggest to begin with petrus.

 

[Pedro]

yeah, I don't like R' D' R D (or R' U' R U, which is what I taught some of my friends), because they often forget the U move, and, like Mike said, can end up with a scrambled cube

another thing **I** would do different is teach the first layer corners as you did last...actually showing where the white sticker is and where it goes, and how

I know the "sexy move" is easy and fast, but is a waste, in my opinion, on this case...I think most begginers can understand better how to put the white corners with F' U' F and R U R' than they can make the cross...I think the cross is the "worst" part for them, because they can't "see" the short and easy path we can...and do lots of moves

well, that's just me

great effort on making the videos
and I find your accent very cool

 

[fanwuq]

I don't think that the basic beginner method is easy to switch to fridrich. Instead of making pairs intuitively. People tend to automatically do the edge insert algorithm.
The beginner method is very easy to learn, but painful to switch from.

Teaching how to solve the cross is the biggest problem for me. It's just so obvious. Some get it easily, others never understand.
Building a 2x2 takes about the same understanding and it also teaches intuitional F2L at the same time.

 

[AvGalen]

abbracadiabra: I would like to turn this into a text tutorial, but I will have to get some webspace. And that means I will get carried away and make a 10.000 page cube-site with every method, alg, technique, etc. To protect me from that I just made the start of every video a summary. Pausing the video and writing the summary down (or printscreen) should be enough for most people.

Mike: Instead of R'D'RD I actually learnd FDF'D' 20 years ago. I never make a mistake with it and still use it for blindfolded-orientation in the U-layer. It took me 1 year of speedcubing to realise that z2 and sexy move does the same thing, but much faster.

Pedro: I hesitated if I should teach the "sexy move" or the 3 shorter cases. I decided sexy move would be much easier. But I also decided to tell them about the shorter moves later in the video.

fanwuq: 2x2x2 is more complicated because you have to do edges and corners at the same time. Doable for a beginner, but really hard to explain/teach.

I believe a transition like this would work best:
* Cross, Corners, Middle layer
* Cross, 3 corners, 3 edges, 1 corner, 1 edge
* Cross, 3 corners, 4 edges, 1 corner
* Cross, Intuitive F2L
* Cross, "Alg-based" F2L (for hard cases)
* X-Cross, F2L
* 2x2x3, finish cross, F2L
* Petrus F2L

 

[Dene]

"So you are ready for step eight... Step eight........... Step seven." Lol . Nicely done . One problem with the 6th video is that, at least here in New Zealand, phone numbers are only 7 numbers long, not 9 or more. Unless it's a cell phone number, then it differs, either 6, 7 or 8 numbers (plus the extension 021/027). It got kind of dark in the later steps of the tutorial, and it was quite hard to see. I know it's a bit late but it is quite hard for a beginner to see exactly what's happening.

Ok so here's a question: If you're allowing for the fact that the people watching are going to have to learn the basics of face rotations and stuff for themselves (which is in my experience the hardest concept for beginners to grasp), why bother continuing with such primitive explanations and extensive steps as you do? If people can master face rotations, the rest will come a lot easier. You may as well skip all the "sexy move" crap and tell them to figure out how to get the corners in for themselves, then teach them better algorithms for the second layer, and 4LLL.

I don't want to be so harsh, but this tutorial is extremely long and I see no extra benefits in it, and would still recommend a beginner to watch the tutorial by thrawst.

EDIT: Might I point out that this is the second time this website has decided to mysteriously stop working for me after making a post in this particualer thread. I haven't had the problem before. Is this just a coincidence? Did anybody else have this problem?

 

[fanwuq]

I never tried to teach petrus to a beginner, but I imagine it is easier. It takes forever to explain why there cross isn't right. For a 2x2 block, you can obviously tell.

 

[AvGalen]

Dene: I don't really care about the telephonenumberlenght in New Zealand, but I agree that the last parts of the video are getting pretty dark. There is nothing I can do about that anymore.

Could you please explain what you mean by face rotations and stuff? Whenever I give a cube to someone the very first thing they start to do is rotate the faces.

I already explained why I choose to teach sexy move for the corners. It is really easy to remember, fast to execute. Hardly any thinking is required and even when the corner is in a wrong slot it will work. I also explain the alternatives, but every beginner I have met likes the sexy move better.

You say I could have taught better algorithms for the second layer, but I think this algorith is the fastest there is. I have personally used RUR'U' F'U'FU and F'U'FU RUR'U', but I don't think those are faster. Again, all beginners I have taught liked the 5+5 alg better.

Also for the last layer, which algs would you have preferred? F sexy move F' is about as short/fast/easy as possible, same goes for sune, A-Perm and U-perm. The 2-gen U-perm might be a bit faster, but is much harder for beginners to learn. Also, the U-Perm I teach can be easily transformed to the other U-Perm by replacing the U-turns with U'-turns.

I agree the tutorial is long, but that is because repetition works. Beginners need to hear and see the moves a lot of times before they will remember them. I also made sure that I used a lot of different words that mean the same (R, Right side away, etc) so every beginner can remember it the way it works best for them.

The real benefit of my video should have been the fact that for every step there is just one easy algorithm and 1 easy rule to remember. So there is no need for FRUR'U'F' and FURU'R'F' algs and 'line' and 'small l' memories. Even for all 7 cases of corner orientation the sune and 1 rule (1 yellow=LF yellow on Up, otherwise LF yellow on Left) are enough.

Please tell me which algs you would have preferred.

fanwuq: I never taught someone how to start with a 2x2x2 block, but I don't think it would be a big difference in difficulty.

 

[Dene]

For face rotations, what I mean is (I kind of explained earlier) that people will pick up the cube and start rotating faces, sure, but they have no idea what they're doing. When you ask them to achieve a basic task, for example get the DF sticker to UB, they have no idea how to go about it. It is only 2 simple rotations, but to them it is a complex maze of possible moves and they find it hard to break it down to something that is obvious to us. When I taught people to do the cross, I first got them to get all the white edges onto the yellow face, then match them up with the correct centre, and do "F2" or "rotate the face" or whatever, with all sorts of different descriptions, but even after doing this many times they still forgot what they had to do. Because the basic concept of rotating faces to achieve a task hadn't set in, they couldn't figure it out "intuitively", when really, as we know, it doesn't get much more basic than that.

For the corners, the sexy move achieves the purpose, and you did give two alternatives (like an "extra for experts", lol) but there are also other ways, and you didn't really give off a sense of intuition, but rather left a sense of "these are my options, and nothing else."

But this is off my point, which was that, you say these people need to figure out the early stuff for themselves, but that is the hardest part! Then, when it comes to the easy part you give them 7 algorithms total with no reference to intuition, but a mere breakdown into the most basic possible solve. Once they have the hard part sorted, the rest is going to be tedious and extensive and people are going to be looking for more (algorithms/help) almost instantly.

Perhaps, in my opinion, the best tutorial would be one that went into extreme detail on the absolute basics of the Rubik's Cube, and this would allow people to continue into a much more intuitive solve and far more quickly into an advanced method.

 

[AvGalen]

I think you are wrong about the first layer being the hard part. Everyone that has played with the cube for a while has gotten at least one face all the same colors. If you explain to them that "just the face" is not enough, they will eventually be able to make the first layer. Cross first, correct cross later, 4 corners is the easiest way to do this (and it can be expanded to a speedsolve method later).

After the first layer everyone gives up because everything they do ruins the first layer (biggest disadvantage of every layer by layer method). So supplying not only algorithms, but also easy ways to memorize the algorithms and the position of the cube is the most important thing to be able to solve the cube.

You are talking about people going to find more and better algorithms (I asked you to supply them, you didn't), but that means you think they want to become a speedcuber. I wrote this tutorial for my mother, her friends, people I meet in the park, plane or work that just want to be able to solve the cube. I have personally used a method that was worse than this one and used it for 20 years before I became a speedsolver.

I think the steps I use are the best compromise between number of algs, easiness of algs, speed of algs/execution/recognition and ways to grow into a speedsolving solution eventually

 

[Dene]

Supplying the algorithms isn't necessary, any progression from the method would need an OLL or PLL list. But the problem is not whether they can get the first layer or not, it's whether they know what they're doing. I take my cube into work, and the guys play around with it, and some of them can get a whole face, but they can't explain how or do it again straight away. This is the main problem that I'm getting at. The basic concept behind face turning and pairing colours, and "moving some out of the way, insert, put back in place" etc is hard to grasp at first. As I've said, with experimenting people can get a whole face, but repeating it and understanding how it works is a huge problem, and I think the optimum tutorial would describe that.

 

[AvGalen]

I don't understand what you would have liked Dene. It seems you think I should have made the tutorial a lot shorter, but should have covered many more details of the First Layer.
I already covered 3 ways to do the cross (optimal, orient->permute, opposite face with half turns). I also covered 2 ways of doing the corners (sexy move, optimal which is break up/match/restore). And I mention that people should be able to figure these steps out themselves.

You may as well skip all the "sexy move" crap and tell them to figure out how to get the corners in for themselves, then teach them better algorithms for the second layer, and 4LLL.

I did tell them how to get the corners in, but I also made sure they would have a fail-safe way of doing that.
I am still waiting for better algorithms for the second layer.
And 4LLL is NOT a beginners method. That requires 3 + 7 + 2 + 4 = 16 algs for the last layer instead of just the 4.

 

[Dene]

Ok I'll try to make this as explicit as possible.

In my opinion the optimum tutorial for beginners would involve a section in which you explained (or made an attempt, at least) to review basic rotations, and what they achieved. You would include things like: If you want to get the DF edge to UB, you do *whatever*.

My point is that, without the absolute basics in a tutorial, the rest of the beginner stuff may as well be skipped as well. Of course, I agree with your algorithms as they stand, and couldn't recommend others in place (for the lack of benefit that others would have to a beginners tutorial).

In another wording: If you want to teach a beginners method, then you need to cover everything. If you don't cover everything, then why make a beginners method? In my opinion you have left out a fundamental understanding of the cube, and thus haven't covered everything.