[Help Thread] Beginners Method Discussion thread

[badmephisto]

Although I think that your F2L and BLD videos are the best in their category, I do think that AVGs Beginner Tutorial is better. He explains it really well and it's what I use to teach people to solve the cube. But I agree, there are not many out there that are so easy to understand, so it would be great if you did another one.

yes i watched my BLD tut and F2L tut yesterday as well and I was happy with those.

Indeed I consider Av's 3x3 vids as definitely in the top3 for the beginners method. I still think they could be improved on though... I dont approve of some of his methadology such as for example skipping over the notation, and I found some parts over explained, and some parts under explained etc. But still very good.

As for the length of the video: I think 30 minute is the best way to go if there is a CLEAR way of navigating around it. For example I wish annotations could be used to make some type of Table of Content somehow. I could place it in the video description, but NOONE. Ever. Reads that. They don't... But maybe I could mention it EXPLICITLY in the video and make sure that people understand that they can use it to skip around the video.

The alternative of partitioning the whole thing into 7-8 videos is attractive, but it may be hard to find the part you are interested in easily.

I like the idea Ryan Heise employs in his beginner's method, where for permutation of edges you merely apply the SUNE and ANTISUNE in either order. This means you dont have to memorize the additional algorithm for edge switcher. And its not too much slower because sunes are fast.

Sarah: yea it may be necessary to have one of the cases oriented differently...

 

[ChrisBird]

Although I think that your F2L and BLD videos are the best in their category, I do think that AVGs Beginner Tutorial is better. He explains it really well and it's what I use to teach people to solve the cube. But I agree, there are not many out there that are so easy to understand, so it would be great if you did another one.

yes i watched my BLD tut and F2L tut yesterday as well and I was happy with those.

Indeed I consider Av's 3x3 vids as definitely in the top3 for the beginners method. I still think they could be improved on though... I dont approve of some of his methadology such as for example skipping over the notation, and I found some parts over explained, and some parts under explained etc. But still very good.

As for the length of the video: I think 30 minute is the best way to go if there is a CLEAR way of navigating around it. For example I wish annotations could be used to make some type of Table of Content somehow. I could place it in the video description, but NOONE. Ever. Reads that. They don't... But maybe I could mention it EXPLICITLY in the video and make sure that people understand that they can use it to skip around the video.

The alternative of partitioning the whole thing into 7-8 videos is attractive, but it may be hard to find the part you are interested in easily.

I like the idea Ryan Heise employs in his beginner's method, where for permutation of edges you merely apply the SUNE and ANTISUNE in either order. This means you dont have to memorize the additional algorithm for edge switcher. And its not too much slower because sunes are fast.

Sarah: yea it may be necessary to have one of the cases oriented differently...

Just put a small annotation in the bottom corner for the first few minutes (before you get to the first step) for people to read the description for a table of contents.

 

[ISuckAtCubing]

I think that people who is trying to learn to solve the cube doesn't understand that rubik's cubes are pieces, they keep thinking they are stickers, a lot of them give up on the first layer putting the corners in and getting them in the right spot, i think they need to get a clear understanding on what is a piece in the cube, make sure they stop thinking they are stickers, and a lot of them don't understand what is a layer or a side, they just want to get 1 side done and forget the layer thing. They also need really less algorithm, i have a method and only need 5 algorithm to solve the cube

 

[badmephisto]

I think that people who is trying to learn to solve the cube doesn't understand that rubik's cubes are pieces, they keep thinking they are stickers, a lot of them give up on the first layer putting the corners in and getting them in the right spot, i think they need to get a clear understanding on what is a piece in the cube, make sure they stop thinking they are stickers, and a lot of them don't understand what is a layer or a side, they just want to get 1 side done and forget the layer thing. They also need really less algorithm, i have a method and only need 5 algorithm to solve the cube

you're right. I have not yet met a person who understood this quickly. And with no guidance, people always make this mistake. Even when I do explain about the pieces, they usually just nod, and not understand anyway. Av went through a lot of trouble in his video to convey this concept, and it IS necessary

 

[ISuckAtCubing]

I think that people who is trying to learn to solve the cube doesn't understand that rubik's cubes are pieces, they keep thinking they are stickers, a lot of them give up on the first layer putting the corners in and getting them in the right spot, i think they need to get a clear understanding on what is a piece in the cube, make sure they stop thinking they are stickers, and a lot of them don't understand what is a layer or a side, they just want to get 1 side done and forget the layer thing. They also need really less algorithm, i have a method and only need 5 algorithm to solve the cube

you're right. I have not yet met a person who understood this quickly. And with no guidance, people always make this mistake. Even when I do explain about the pieces, they usually just nod, and not understand anyway. Av went through a lot of trouble in his video to convey this concept, and it IS necessary

or maybe you should take out the piece and show them that there are three side in a corner piece? i haven't tried that on someone, don't know if it will work

 

[badmephisto]

yea I do that all the time... Its just important to show that there are exactly 3 types of pieces, and that every single one of them is unique, and that every single one of them has a single unique spot where it must end up when solved, in relation to the center pieces.
Heads usually explode

 

[Mr Cubism]

A good idea with "the perfect beginners method"!


A few ideas:

1. Maybe explain the difference between storebought and DIY and a few links where to buy them......
A hard turned (if you have bad luck) storebought cube is not a good first inspiration/experience......

2. Steal/borrow from your own vids (they are almost perfect already), take some tips from Galen´s vids and go for it!

3. Maybe put a warning about Dan Browns method.

4. If you shall teach the cross on buttom ; DON´T teach it with white cross up (like in your first cross video), can be confusing :confused:

 

[ISuckAtCubing]

A good idea with "the perfect beginners method"!


A few ideas:

1. Maybe explain the difference between storebought and DIY and a few links where to buy them......
A hard turned (if you have bad luck) storebought cube is not a good first inspiration/experience......

2. Steal/borrow from your own vids (they are almost perfect already), take some tips from Galen´s vids and go for it!

3. Maybe put a warning about Dan Browns method.

4. If you shall teach the cross on buttom ; DON´T teach it with white cross up (like in your first cross video), can be confusing :confused:

why would you tell them that storebought are hard to turn? They don't even know what does hard to turn means if they have never had a DIY cube, and if the cube are DIY, it doesn't even help them on solving them, it just make them lost interest on how to solve it, and I think they they should learn the cross on top, they are not trying to speed solve, they are just learning to solve it, they will try to get the cross on the bottom if they want to speed solve, the stuff you are saying are more for speed solving than learning how to solve a rubik's cube

 

[Mr Cubism]

Hi Mr Complain!

I didn´t say that every storebought are hard to turn, but some are. I used one in the beginning and I got cube thumb after a week or so.

I didn´t wrote that the cross shall be teached on buttom, I wrote: "If you shall teach...."

And if the cross shall be learned in the easiest way, the basic method with white edges on top (then match up with the centers and then half turn) should be showed = cross on buttom

Bye Mr Complain

 

[SkilfulPenguin]

I think RobH0629, Has a good Beginner, Tutorial. It is a mix of the "Tyson Mao" Method, and the Petrus Method. Although I did not learn from his video it's worth watching, and he has like 10 videos each with the different steps. I need to remake my beginners tutorial also, I made it when I had been cubing for like a month. It's complete garbage.

However my Fridrich Tutorial is Pretty Good

But back on topic. I like RobH0629's Tutorial

 

[ISuckAtCubing]

Hi Mr Complain!

I didn´t say that every storebought are hard to turn, but some are. I used one in the beginning and I got cube thumb after a week or so.

I didn´t wrote that the cross shall be teached on buttom, I wrote: "If you shall teach...."

And if the cross shall be learned in the easiest way, the basic method with white edges on top (then match up with the centers and then half turn) should be showed = cross on buttom

Bye Mr Complain

You said you used a bad storebought cube when you were a beginner right? If someone tell you that you should but a DIY would you go buy one? If you don't even know how to solve a cube, you go go buy more different, for me i would just stick with the one I have, I would not bother to buy more cubes to learn it until I start with speed solving

 

[ISuckAtCubing]

yea I do that all the time... Its just important to show that there are exactly 3 types of pieces, and that every single one of them is unique, and that every single one of them has a single unique spot where it must end up when solved, in relation to the center pieces.
Heads usually explode

Yes they have to learn that center piece does not move, or they will never get the cross. Then tell them that keep doing R U R' U' to get the corner in place, then put the edge, then get the cross on top, then get the cross in the right spot, then put the corner in the right spot, then orient the corner, that is the easiest method i could think of.

 

[Mr Cubism]

You said you used a bad storebought cube when you were a beginner right? If someone tell you that you should buy a DIY would you go buy one?

After about one week of cubing, a friend of mine took an old (1980s) cube (with screws in the centers) to the job. I became jealous and searched the same evening on internet and ordered 4 DIYs, even if I didn´t knew what I bought that time, I just wanted to have cubes with ajustable centers so I could save my thumbs from more pain. So....I bought DIY´s before I knew how to solve the cube (but I think I learned how to solve it before they arrived).

Sorry if this message doesn´t belongs to the thread, I just wanted to answer the question.

 

[AndyK]

I like the 30 minute video as well. I also think that mentioning that lubricating the storebought cube they are probably using will make it sooo much easier to turn.

I must say though that I think it would be cool if you had another beginner's video that only provided the tools (the algs) needed to solve the cube and didn't tell the person how to link them all together. This would be kinda for 'advanced beginners' and would preserve the puzzle aspect of the Rubik's cube.

This is how I learned how to solve the cube and even though it took longer, it was incredibly satisfying. I think that there is certainly a limited market for such a video because most may just want to get the stupid thing solved, but for those who want a challenge, a video with just the algs would be great.

I tried made such a 'tutorial' here: http://www.kungfoomanchu.com/#333beginners or here is a direct link to the PDF. But if you produced such a thing it would have much more reach.

Some people would definitely be up for the challenge that this type of beginner's 'tutorial' provides.

 

[Skewb]

i didn't read the entire thread, and i do apologize if someone stated this before... i actually learned my own specific method of solving using a mix of beginners method, keyhole and advanced PLL and OLL algorithms...

and guess who taught them to me... yes, you, badmephisto... i thought your tutorials on ALL methods were spectacular... so if you really want to make a great beginners method video, you really could only improve on your own tuts...

P.S. I think the tutorial should be labeled "A Beginners Guide To Speedcubing"
if that is the real intention of the tutorial. if not, then i guess the former is great... and as far as the method that easily translates to fridrich, for me, is the key hole method because sometimes as i am solving, i catch a glimpse of an easy open slot landing a nail both edge and corner in one swoop then finish with normal hey holing... hoe that helps

 

[badmephisto]

I like the 30 minute video as well. I also think that mentioning that lubricating the storebought cube they are probably using will make it sooo much easier to turn.

I must say though that I think it would be cool if you had another beginner's video that only provided the tools (the algs) needed to solve the cube and didn't tell the person how to link them all together. This would be kinda for 'advanced beginners' and would preserve the puzzle aspect of the Rubik's cube.

This is how I learned how to solve the cube and even though it took longer, it was incredibly satisfying. I think that there is certainly a limited market for such a video because most may just want to get the stupid thing solved, but for those who want a challenge, a video with just the algs would be great.

I tried made such a 'tutorial' here: http://www.kungfoomanchu.com/#333beginners or here is a direct link to the PDF. But if you produced such a thing it would have much more reach.

Some people would definitely be up for the challenge that this type of beginner's 'tutorial' provides.

That is a very interesting set of PDF's I like the idea! I probably would have liked to learn from something similar myself back when I was starting out. I don't know about an average person who just wants to get it done though

Also: I always disliked the way to make cross where you first place the white edges around the yellow center. I think its useless, and I never had TOO much trouble doing it the normal way. On the other hand What is is good for is that you never have to rotate the cube after the cross is finished, so you will never have to make that switch to cross on bottom... that is a pretty big advantage perhaps, if potential switch to fridrich in the future is possible

I also think, and I hope many of you will agree, that having a printable HTML page that summarizes the entire method is essential, and I would kinda have to create one, almost from scratch...

 

[jacob15728]

Attempting to make a better Beginner's tutorial is futile. All beginners will watch Dan Brown's tutorial. You type in "how to solve a Rubik's cube", and it's the first thing that comes up. It's rated 5 stars and has a huge number of views and won many honors, so newbies will invariably choose to watch it. There's no hope. I hate to sound so pessimistic, but it's the truth.

 

[royzabeast]

I think Badmephisto's is beastly. Nuff sed.

 

[badmephisto]

Attempting to make a better Beginner's tutorial is futile. All beginners will watch Dan Brown's tutorial. You type in "how to solve a Rubik's cube", and it's the first thing that comes up. It's rated 5 stars and has a huge number of views and won many honors, so newbies will invariably choose to watch it. There's no hope. I hate to sound so pessimistic, but it's the truth.

of course, you bring up a good point, but I still don't see it as futile. I don't expect my video (assuming it even turns out to be excellent) to make it to the top right away, but having an already popular channel and being a YouTube partner certainly increases the chances.

Still, the main reason for the remake is to just replace of those terrible videos in my channel. How embarrassing And having decided that, might as well make them as good as possible... so I started this thread to get some help with that.

I'm seriously toying with the idea of using series of SUNES/ANTISUNES for the edge permutation. It eliminates the need for an extra algorithm, but at the cost of some speed. hmhmmhmhmhmh

 

[Deleted member 2864]

Attempting to make a better Beginner's tutorial is futile. All beginners will watch Dan Brown's tutorial. You type in "how to solve a Rubik's cube", and it's the first thing that comes up. It's rated 5 stars and has a huge number of views and won many honors, so newbies will invariably choose to watch it. There's no hope. I hate to sound so pessimistic, but it's the truth.

of course, you bring up a good point, but I still don't see it as futile. I don't expect my video (assuming it even turns out to be excellent) to make it to the top right away, but having an already popular channel and being a YouTube partner certainly increases the chances.

Still, the main reason for the remake is to just replace of those terrible videos in my channel. How embarrassing And having decided that, might as well make them as good as possible... so I started this thread to get some help with that.

I'm seriously toying with the idea of using series of SUNES/ANTISUNES for the edge permutation. It eliminates the need for an extra algorithm, but at the cost of some speed. hmhmmhmhmhmh

How about do the sune/antisune in the actual tutorial and at the end, tell them if they ever wanted to get faster, view another video made by you with somewhat faster tips.