[Help Thread] Algorithm Memorization Discussion

[AmazingCuber]

I try to see patterns in the algorithm, so I can basically execute it by thinking: "ok, so first sexy move, the pair moves here so I do a U, then Sledgehammer, etc."
Then I do it as often as possible in solves or otherwise until I have it in muscle memory. What helps me is seeing the written algorithm, whilst hearing it and also seeing someone execute it. Cubebanka (in german, I'm sorry) has nice video trainers for OLL and PLL.

 

[kannabie]

You don't really need to practice 2 hours every day. All that is needed to memorize algorithms is to play around with the cube consistently everyday.

well, it's not always like that. i am not that crazy to time my every step))
it is just an average of what i can afford to spend on cubing

 

[cubar]

How to memorize algorithms?

Can someone give tips on how to memorize algorithms?

 

[Prismatic]

It differs for everyone, but for me I write down the algorithms and work on one algorithm at a time. After being able to memorize and execute an algorithm efficiently, I move on to the next.

 

[Will]

I would say defiantly right them down, but also make sure your also trying to memorize with muscle memory also, just remembering the notation in your head can become a jumbled mess after a while so before you continuing with new algorithms make sure to apply it to a solve or to, to make sure you have it memorized.

 

[BoBoGuy]

Muscle memory.

 

[tx789]

I them perform over and over again. I look for triggers and learn them by perform the x amount of triggers writing them down helps with choosing what triggers

 

[IcyBlade]

The first algs are by far the hardest ones to memorize. Practice them over and over, and review them at the end of the day. Once you get advanced, algs should stick in your brain easily.

 

[sneaklyfox]

Practice a small part of the alg at a time. Say, take the first 4 moves... it will be easy to memorize. Do them over and over again... I think the key to having it in muscle memory is doing it quickly. If you do it slowly, you're probably thinking too much. Then extend it. Maybe learn the next 4 moves. Attach the first four and the next four. If this is too much, do a smaller number of moves. The faster you can move, the easier it is to remember. Oh yeah, and don't worry about setting up the case again when you practice like this. You can also consider practicing in the dark (I did this). After you learn an alg sufficiently well, take your cube to bed, turn off the lights, and repeat the alg another 20-30 times (or however many you want). This way you will practice how it feels like, not what it looks like.

Edit: Oh yeah, and then go to bed after that. Sleep does things to your brain (good things). When you wake up, check that you still remember the algs from the day before.

 

[mark49152]

Look for patterns and triggers and try to remember the algs as sequences of these patterns, or variations from patterns, rather than as sequences of individual moves. Write the algs down with brackets around the triggers. For example, the OLL alg RUR'U'R'FRF' is way easier to learn as a combination of two triggers (RUR'U')(R'FRF'). It gets easier and easier to learn new algs as the patterns become more familiar.

Badmephisto's site is great for breaking algs down this way.

 

[SenileGenXer]

Write them down. Say them out loud while you are first doing them. Do them several times in a row. Do them with your eyes closed. Do them often.

 

[nibble4bits]

Perform them over and over again until the algorithm gets saved into your muscle memory. And yeah, looking for triggers make it even easier to remember. But remember, just learn 3 algorithms daily at most, as learning more only will make you forget the algorithms.

 

[Ranzha]

I would say defiantly right them down

I don't wanna.

For memorizing algs, repetition and muscle memory are the key. Separate the algorithm into logical sections to help recalling the algorithm. For recognition, repetition is really helpful.
Don't try to memorize a bunch of algs at one time if you know that you won't retain it. You don't have to work hard, but you should always work smart!

 

[god of rubic 2]

I'm currently learning COLL and making great progress. I usually pick cases that I can recognise reasonably quickly and come up regularly. I look for patterns and triggers and repeat until I can do it through muscle memory.

 

[kcl]

I learn to watch how the pieces move. It's just the best way for me to remember..

 

[creativecuber15]

This works for me: You could look for common triggers. This way you can divide the algorithm into parts. You could then see what are the other moves apart from those triggers (which won't be much) and get them in your muscle memory. Then you can execute the triggers and the other moves together. When you execute the algorithm in parts, it helps you to memorize them quickly.

Look for patterns and triggers and try to remember the algs as sequences of these patterns, or variations from patterns, rather than as sequences of individual moves. Write the algs down with brackets around the triggers. For example, the OLL alg RUR'U'R'FRF' is way easier to learn as a combination of two triggers (RUR'U')(R'FRF'). It gets easier and easier to learn new algs as the patterns become more familiar.

Badmephisto's site is great for breaking algs down this way.

I second you on that.

 

[KenBrace]

When I decide to memorize an algorithm I first divide it up into the sections that feel right to me. For example R U R' F' R2 would be divided up into (R U) (R' F') (R2) rather than (R U) (R') (F' R2) which would have a different feel. Groups of moves are performed at a time as one move so the way you divide them up actually does matter (at least with me). After I've divided the algorithm into sections, I then pick the first one or two groups (depending on how long they are) and repeat the moves 20+ times. When I was memorizing the T-Perm for example I started with the first four moves (R U R' U') and repeated them 20+ times. Then after I felt like I had performed the first section enough times, I added the next group of moves (R' F) and performed (R U R' U') (R' F) 30+ times. After I could do all six moves without ever getting stuck or having to think about them I added the next group (R2 U') and performed (R U R' U') (R' F) (R2 U') probably 40+ times. Anyway you get the idea. I just kept adding on sections to what I had already learned until I had memorized the whole algorithm. I then just performed the whole algorithm like 500 or so times until I felt like I had completely mastered it, at least for the moment. I also repeated the algorithm 20 or 30 times right before going to bed which really helps me. When I wake up the next morning I usually have whatever algorithms I memorized in the previous day down pat. Also I've found that it's good to memorize algorithms at a rate of one or two a day depending on how hard or long they are. If I'm learning a rather difficult one, I generally just devote the whole day to that one algorithm. But yeah that's pretty much how I learn them and it seems to work pretty well. TBH the more algorithms you learn the faster you'll get at memorizing new ones because not only does your brain get adjusted to learning algorithms, you also begin to more easily notice patterns in algorithms which makes learning and performing them much easier. Hope this helps!

 

[Caiel Manuel]

What I do is write it down then do the alg in sections like in 3s in 2s in 4s it up to you, so do the first 3 then do it without looking then the next one then combine them as you go along i usually do the alg when im watching tv once i have kinda remembered it

When I decide to memorize an algorithm I first divide it up into the sections that feel right to me. For example R U R' F' R2 would be divided up into (R U) (R' F') (R2) rather than (R U) (R') (F' R2) which would have a different feel. Groups of moves are performed at a time as one move so the way you divide them up actually does matter (at least with me). After I've divided the algorithm into sections, I then pick the first one or two groups (depending on how long they are) and repeat the moves 20+ times. When I was memorizing the T-Perm for example I started with the first four moves (R U R' U') and repeated them 20+ times. Then after I felt like I had performed the first section enough times, I added the next group of moves (R' F) and performed (R U R' U') (R' F) 30+ times. After I could do all six moves without ever getting stuck or having to think about them I added the next group (R2 U') and performed (R U R' U') (R' F) (R2 U') probably 40+ times. Anyway you get the idea. I just kept adding on sections to what I had already learned until I had memorized the whole algorithm. I then just performed the whole algorithm like 500 or so times until I felt like I had completely mastered it, at least for the moment. I also repeated the algorithm 20 or 30 times right before going to bed which really helps me. When I wake up the next morning I usually have whatever algorithms I memorized in the previous day down pat. Also I've found that it's good to memorize algorithms at a rate of one or two a day depending on how hard or long they are. If I'm learning a rather difficult one, I generally just devote the whole day to that one algorithm. But yeah that's pretty much how I learn them and it seems to work pretty well. TBH the more algorithms you learn the faster you'll get at memorizing new ones because not only does your brain get adjusted to learning algorithms, you also begin to more easily notice patterns in algorithms which makes learning and performing them much easier. Hope this helps!

Hey you stole my post haha

 

[DW9550]

I like to look at where pieces go when I execute an new alg, I do it a few times with it written in front of me, watch where pieces move, and eventually the images stick in my brain. I then do them over and over to improve the speed of them and work out my finger tricks for them

 

[Michael Womack]

How I do it is set a timer for a certain time depending on how long and hard the Alg is and then perform that alg over and over until the timer goes off. Then I try to perform the alg without reading it. If can't do it without reading the alg I restart the timer until I can do the alg without reading it.