Is anyone else like this?

[TheCuber]

I seem to never "memorize" algorithims by memory.

For example I can do every single cube 3x3 through 7x7 without memorizing one alg; I did memorize it one day, but now its sort of just an automatic "hand movement". Like I see something on a cube, and my hand guides me without even thinking.

Same goes for the MegaMinx. If someone told me "write down all of the megaminx last layer algs", I would not be able to, but I can still solve the MegaMinx.

Anyone else like this?

 

[ShadenSmith]

Yes, most of us do this. It's called muscle memory.

 

[TheCuber]

Ah nice. I even quit Rubik's cube type puzzles for a year and I came back to it doing them almost 100%

 

[ductape98]

ya im to new to stop for a long time but yes

 

[Sa967St]

when I was first learning algs I used to memorize the actual notation, but now yeah it's just "knowing" what moves to do without thinking of the actual algorithm

 

[jcuber]

I think that after a while your brain doesn't have to think about it becuase of the repetitiveness of it.

 

[DAE_JA_VOO]

Yep, as shadensmith says, most of us do that. I'd be surprised if anyone DIDN'T do that.

Once you do the alg enough times, your brain learns that series of movements and executes it "automatically".

 

[Neutrals01]

Same here...but when I started memorizing time..I don't memorize through cube notation...I memorize in my mind like...up down left right, it is easier for me than thinking L R F B D U.. but now it is like auto...that is why I can't write the algorithm(weak in cube notation + muscle memory) for my friends and some of them says that I am showing off and do not want to teach them..

 

[qqwref]

The muscle memory thing is very common, actually; I'd say the vast majority of cubers who know 10+ algs have learned them like this and not by memorizing the notation. I guess I'm a bit different in that I didn't memorize the moves as much by the fingertricks as watching the blocks of pieces move around on the cube. I think that makes it a lot easier for me to stop in the middle of an algorithm or to transfer things from two-handed solving to one-handed or computer solving; I've heard that a lot of people have to relearn their PLLs when they start one-handed solving, because they only know the fingertricks, but this never happened to me.

 

[MTGjumper]

I'm so reliant on muscle memory that when it comes to OH solves, I generally end up using 4LLL =P

 

[hdskull]

Some algorithms, I remember the actual algorithm, if I memorized by the algorithm.

If I memorized by looking at how the pieces and my hand moves, then I don't remember the algorithms.

 

[MTGjumper]

In addition to muscle memory, I can tell if I'm doing the right algorithm by what pattern the yellow makes on the top face. For example, to me, Z perm goes rectangle -> square -> line with white end -> square -> rectangle -> solved.

 

[Ryanrex116]

Yeah, for me most memorizing is with muscle memory, unless it is an easy algorithm like R U R' U' .

 

[Vulosity]

I lve the R U R' U' trigger so much that every time I execute it, I actually whisper it.

 

[Lucas Garron]

I know all algs by some combination of muscle memory/speed BLD intuition.
I don't my algs by notation, but after lots of practice, I can rattle off an alg during execution (or even without exec).

 

[NickNack]

Muscle memory is definitely the way to go, I even notice that I can't do most algorithms very slowly.

 

[Ethan Rosen]

While usually its muscle memory, I often think the notation letters of the algorithm while I'm solving it. Interestingly enough, I completely ignore any 2 or '. For example, R U2 R' would just be R U R to me

 

[Hadley4000]

I use muscle memory for almost all algs. On very very few can I just spit out the notation without having the think for a minute, or preferably have a cube on me.

 

[Escher]

my memory for algs is a weird mix, because i can do all my algs without looking, yet when doing OH, i can still perform all my algs, even though theyre really slow...

 

[hawkmp4]

While usually its muscle memory, I often think the notation letters of the algorithm while I'm solving it. Interestingly enough, I completely ignore any 2 or '. For example, R U2 R' would just be R U R to me

I do that too! Like, Sune is R U R U R U R.
But for the most part I track F2L pairs, or notice when there's an OLL I can do to finish a perm, like T perm.