[Help Thread] Algorithm Memorization Discussion

[Raiz]

For me, i memorize the algorithm just by reading it at first. Then, i just rep it out slowly until i can do it fast. and just to make sure i dont forget it, at random times i do the algorithm.

 

[Escher]

I wouldn't advise learning more than 48 in a single day. After doing this it's also useful to let them sink in for one or two days before learning any more.

For learning, just find fingertricks for an alg and by that point you should already know it.

I agree with this^

Usually when I want to learn an algorithm set I just learn as much of it as I can in an hour or so and then periodically review (30 mins, 90 mins, 3 hours, next morning). It also helps (if they require a case recog I haven't used before) to go over them mentally while eating breakfast or walking somewhere.

If you're learning a lot of cases, some people recommend Anki.

 

[peterbone]

You'll get better at memorising algs the more you learn so if you haven't learnt many before start off slowly. Also, make sure you try out different algs for each case to choose the fastest one for you. You don't want to have to re-learn them later.

 

[Kirjava]

It also helps to go over them mentally while eating breakfast or walking somewhere.

Very this. When learning OLLCP I used to drill the sets when bored on the bus - didn't even have a cube on me.

 

[CoryThigpen]

I just finished full OLL & PLL. It took around 6 months. I didn't try to learn new ones each day. Instead I would try and master one-two at a time in recognition and execution.

Finally finished! Now I need to get faster at F2L.

 

[immortalchaos29]

I highly recommend that when you find a new algorithm, instead of memorizing it as letters on a paper, immediately begin practicing finger tricks for it (which you can find by watching videos of cubers who use it). Letting your muscle memory take over in this way not only helps the memorization, but significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to learn to execute quickly.

Using this method I took 2 days to learn all 21 PLLs. On the third day I was sub 3 on all but the N perm and G perms. (Of course this is with practicing between 2-3 hours per day).

 

[Cool Frog]

I wouldn't advise learning more than 48 in a single day. After doing this it's also useful to let them sink in for one or two days before learning any more.

For learning, just find fingertricks for an alg and by that point you should already know it.

This, However the number varies for some people.

Learning all the K4 parities in a day along with ELL worked, But I couldn't recognize what case went to what and essentially forgot some because of this.

 

[yelling]

I started speedcubing 7-8 days ago and I've learned the full OLL and PLL, save the G-perms, in that amount of time. I do the algorithm only a couple times while looking at the notation, then I do the algorithm many times from memory. The best way for me to memorize an algorithm is to see it in during a solve.

 

[Cheese11]

I wouldn't advise learning more than 48 in a single day. After doing this it's also useful to let them sink in for one or two days before learning any more.

For learning, just find fingertricks for an alg and by that point you should already know it.

Waaa?! It's been taking me 6 months to learn 8 CMLL algs!

 

[DLZDYL]

I remember two one day . I just repeat it again and agian then I can feel it with my brain as soon as I see that case.

 

[AgentKuo]

I'm starting to memorize algrorithms again (learning OLL and PLL), and for me it depends on the length and complexity of the algorithm.

For instance, I learned all the cross OLL algorithms (there's 7 of them) in 2 days. And I just keep practicing them for at least a week. I might start learning more within that week, but I continue practicing the ones I just memorized so that I can move them from my STM to my LTM. I usually do an algorithm at least 10 times while looking at it, and getting a feel for the movements and then try to do it without looking. If I mess up, I just look at it again, try to memorize small parts of it, and repeat.

On the other hand, I'm also learning basic PLL cases too, and it's a little bit more difficult, because I'm just starting to use x-notation, which I've never used before this. That, and the algorithms are somewhat longer than the other ones I've learned, so I've been working on the first two for a day now, and I still haven't gotten them down. (I've memorized them, but I haven't quite got the complete feel for them.)

For me its all about repetition, I guess.

 

[thackernerd]

Waaa?! It's been taking me 6 months to learn 8 CMLL algs!

I think that was supposed to be 4-8

 

[Jaycee]

When I learn a new set of OLLs (L shape, small lightning bolt, I shape, etc.) I do these in this order:

- Find the best alg I can use for each case by experimenting with fingertricks on each and every alg in the Wiki
- Decide on a recognition system. This is just for help at the beginning because once I've mastered those algs and recognition I barely need to think about what alg to use.
- Drill each alg repeatedly while mentally replaying whatever recognition technique I have for this case.
- Practice each case twice more before I go to bed.

The next day I do a bunch of solves to see how bad the hesitation is. I generally don't start using new algs until about a week after learning them so I know I can recognize well.

I'm doing this with the "Knight Move OLLs" tonight and let me tell you, I was very indecisive on recognition techniques for these.

 

[Rexlinkscubing]

How do you guys recommend we memorize algorithms?

Hey guys, I'm new here and I've only been cubing for probably slightly over a month and my PB is 41.7 seconds and that was today. Yes I know I'm slow but I haven't learned all of my 2 look OLL and PLL algorithms. I seem to have a problem with memorizing the algorithms. I probably only have 6 of the 14 memorized and they are the easiest ones. I was just curious how you guys memorize algorithms and how you think would work the best when trying to memorize a new algorithm. I'm sorry If this post already exists I didn't see one about it when I searched..

 

[rockstarrev]

I have learnt and have practiced and practiced those algorithms and am just okay in solves. I need practice more and more to get the hang of algorithms. After some time, you will instantly be able to recognize the case and can apply the algorithm easily.

 

[YOUdudex]

Hey guys, I'm new here and I've only been cubing for probably slightly over a month and my PB is 41.7 seconds and that was today. Yes I know I'm slow but I haven't learned all of my 2 look OLL and PLL algorithms. I seem to have a problem with memorizing the algorithms. I probably only have 6 of the 14 memorized and they are the easiest ones. I was just curious how you guys memorize algorithms and how you think would work the best when trying to memorize a new algorithm. I'm sorry If this post already exists I didn't see one about it when I searched..

Memorize one alg a day. execute algorithm repeatedly while looking at the algorithm on screen/paper. That's how I learned 3 Look LL

 

[gundamslicer]

Hey guys, I'm new here and I've only been cubing for probably slightly over a month and my PB is 41.7 seconds and that was today. Yes I know I'm slow but I haven't learned all of my 2 look OLL and PLL algorithms. I seem to have a problem with memorizing the algorithms. I probably only have 6 of the 14 memorized and they are the easiest ones. I was just curious how you guys memorize algorithms and how you think would work the best when trying to memorize a new algorithm. I'm sorry If this post already exists I didn't see one about it when I searched..

What I do is that i watch a video about the thing im trying to learn and follow as they do and then rewind and repeat until you can do it on your own.

 

[cannon4747]

visually assisted muscle memory. memorize algs and practice them abstractly until you can do them full speed without thinking. then during solves focus on using the alg even if you could save a few seconds by using 2 look. Sometimes I forget algs and have to redo the last step. I'll just sit there for like 20 secs trying to remember the alg. If you practice enough though and don't take long breaks from cubing (over a month for me) you should retain most if not all of what you memorize.

 

[kannabie]

learned all CFOP (Friedrich) OLLs and PLLs in a year.
2hrs of practice each day, 5 days a week (not much, really, but cant afford more).
what i do to learn:
1. first 20-30 repetitions of the alg assisted by print-outs (muscle memory, trying to find the "rhythm" in movement of hands)
2. then 20-30 repetitions partially or fully unassisted (actual memorization)
3. go do something else for half an hour: watch tv, play xbox, practice previously learned algs
4. another 20-30 fully unassisted repetitions while mixing the alg with other, previously learned algs.
5. the alg is learned. now it's ok to repeat it at least once a day in order not to forget.

some algs are basic variations of another algs - they go a lot easier.

 

[brian724080]

2hrs of practice each day, 5 days a week (not much, really, but cant afford more).

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.