FFR Hand Postitions Guide

[Billydude]

When I first started FFR, I thought there was only one hand postition. That was just using 3 fingers on one hand. Although this did work, it seems like it wasn't good enough. First of all, my hand hurt after I played hard songs. Second of all, I had to share the up and down arrow key with my middle finger which made it harder for me to do up down jumps, and just switching back and forth. Although one handed may be hard for the harder songs, with a lot of practice you can become better with any postition. This guide basically just explains the different hand positions you can use while playing FFR.


3 fingered one hand: This is the hand position that most new members (including myself at a time) use. It is usually the simplest and most comfortable for new members, so they often assume it is the best way to play FFR.

Fingering:
Dominant hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand ring finger goes on: right arrow key >

Advantages:
1. It is the most comfortable for new members.

Disadvantages:
1. It is harder to do quick songs and jumps.
2. It wears out your hand.


4 fingered one hand: I have only known one or 2 people who actually use this position actually, and I find it rather difficult. It is basically the same as the 3 fingered one hand techique, but instead of your middle finger controlling both the up and down arrows, your thumb controls the down arrow.

Fingering: The fingering is the same as 3 fingered one hand, except your thumb controls the down v arrow.

Advantages:
1. If one of your hands is extremely dominant over the other, this is a good way to cover all four keys.

Disadvantages:
1. It feels pretty awkward to most people.
2. It wears out your one hand.


Spread: Spread is the position most veterans or elites play (including myself 8-)). Spread is hard to master at first, especially if you started out one handed. But from experience, switching to spread will make you a better player. And before I explain fingering let me point out the number pad. The number pad is not the number above all the letters, it is on the very right of your keyboard and has numbers on it. If you look at the 8, 6, 4, and 2 you will notice they have arrows, these arrows can be used in FFR also.*
*note: if you play Stepmania, you will have to go to options and map it or else this position won't work.

Fingering:
Left middle finger goes on: left arrow key <
Left index finger goes on: down arrow key v
Right index finger goes on: 8 numberpad
Right middle finger goes on: 6 numberpad

Advantages:
1. It covers all 4 arrows
2. It doesn't wear out your hand
3. Rolls, hands, and quads.

Disadvantages:
1. It makes the up and right arrow keys jealous XD.
2. Running men may be harder with this position.


Index: Index is probobly the most unique hand style there is. It uses only the index fingers of both hands.* Surprisingly enough, many elites (such as Novacaine) use this position.
*note: most index player alternate index fingers instead of assigning 2 arrow keys to each finger

Fingering: Your 2 index fingers alternate, and hit the designated arrow. Btw, index fingers don't use the number pad, just the 4 normal arrows keys.

Advantages:
1. With this position, you can use more then one finger for one key which may help you on jackhammers.
2. Trills can be more comfortable and easier with this position.

Disadvantages:
1. You may accidently miss the arrow.
2. It may be harder for fast songs.
3. Jumpstreams may be harder with this position.
4. Hands and Quads.


3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.

Fingering:
Dominant hand index finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: right arrow key >
Off hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <

Advantages:
1. It is less draining than one handed.
2. Quick jumps and 16ths are easier.

Disadvantages:
1. It is harder to do up-down and left-up jumps.
2. Players have to temporarily switch to index to do rolls/staircases.


OTHER PLAYER'S SUGGESTIONS

4 Fingers One Hand V2:


left- right hand, index finger
up- right hand, middle finger
right- right hand, ring finger
down- left hand, index finger


4 Fingers One Hand V3:

left arrow = thumb
down arrow = index
up arrow = middle
right arrow = ring


Crowded Spread:

Left arrow = Left middle
Down arrow = Left index
Up arrow = Right index
Right arrow = Right middle

P.S. sorry it's kinda hard to see the title but I'm running out of colors XD.:



Thank you. Just remember, whichever position you choose, with enough practice you can become good with practice.

But that's not all! There are endless posibilities for finger positions, and you can choose it yourself! All you have to do is learn about it in this thread:

http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/vbz/showthread.php?t=41727

Btw, if you have any questions about the fingering positions feel free to ask but if you have a question about mapping keys you will have to ask it in the mapping keys thread.

P.S. If I forgot any common ones please tell me.

*Sticky please* :)

[Chromer]

Fishing for a sticky? There are so many different forms of hand positions that a sticky wouldnt be feasible.

[Fantasticone]

Index disadvantage should be on jumpstream?

Spread disadvantage should be on running men?

[Billydude]

Index disadvantage should be on jumpstream?

Spread disadvantage should be on running men?
I'll add those. Thanks. Oh and Chromer, this was basically just introducing the most common hand positions to a new member, so I think it deserves a sticky.

[MeaCulpa]

That's exactly what I was going to say Fantasticone.

Also, on index, some trills are easier to hit (868686 or 242424) than spread.

[Billydude]

That's exactly what I was going to say Fantasticone.

Also, on index, some trills are easier to hit (868686 or 242424) than spread.
I'll add that too. :)

Oh and Synth, on the FAQ it does sort of tell about common hand positions, but not very in depth. Can you put this link on the FAQ please?

[Billydude]

*cough*

[TS_SonicMaster]

Everyone always forgets one style :(
Sig V

[Fantasticone]

Spread Advantage: Rolls, hands, and quads.
Index Disadvantage: Hands and Quads.

[unkdavar]

For 4 fingered one hand I can say since I'm one of the few people that actually do this that there are other advantages. Trills with four notes feel a lot easier to do. A problem with it is that > ^ > ^ > ^ are harder.

[Tibs]

Jesus christ Billydude stop fishing for an unnecessary sticky

[Serious_Cam]

I don't know if it's common or not, but what I do is put my left middle finger on < with my left index finger on top of it (i dunno why, it just feels more comfortable that way), and my right index finger on the down key, my right middle finger on ^ and my ring finger (Before pinky) on >. It seems to work but it makes alternating between double and single notes hard and >^>^> is difficult as well.

[Adamaja456]

you should post some styles like using the letters from the keyboard cuz lots of people do that including me. i used to use DF JK but now i use AS KL and its helped me soo much more

[Fantasticone]

you should post some styles like using the letters from the keyboard cuz lots of people do that including me. i used to use DF JK but now i use AS KL and its helped me soo much more

That's spread.

[spinal_compression]

Some pictures would make it visually educational for some... Just a thought.

[wickedawesomeful]

Don't remember what it's called, but...

left- right hand, index finger
up- right hand, middle finger
right- right hand, ring finger
down- left hand, index finger

I know quite a few people that use this.

[chunky_cheese]

I have been playing one hand 3 fingers for 2.5 years now, and ive got to say that you can actually keep getting better. I can fc challenging songs now... only problem im having is stairs of 3 keys and jacks on songs such as FOTBB. Help?

[DrugstoreCowboy]

move your hand faster?
lol.

i play the same way chunky and i can do FOTBB

[bmah]

When I do one hand (right handed) I use the 4 fingers in a different position than what Billydude said. I posted this position several times in other threads. Consider:

left arrow = thumb
down arrow = index
up arrow = middle
right arrow = ring

Again, this is certainly not as comfortable as two hands (feels cramped), but I can't see myself using the thumb for the down arrow.

[Morehead_Kid]

I play index and I think the transitions are smoother between arrows, but I don't have the finger speed to hit faster songs...is that natural for index? Or should I try some one handed play? I've played over a year and have always been an index player.

[Billydude]

I play index and I think the transitions are smoother between arrows, but I don't have the finger speed to hit faster songs...is that natural for index? Or should I try some one handed play? I've played over a year and have always been an index player.
Yeah, that's okay. You should stick with index, index is actually a good way to play. Just practice some songs like Stalled Out and Sushi Bars and you'll get better at it.

[Morehead_Kid]

Yeah, that's okay. You should stick with index, index is actually a good way to play. Just practice some songs like Stalled Out and Sushi Bars and you'll get better at it.

Thanks, I'll try those...so far speed wise, I can FC standards and on the verge of grabbing them with trickies, but I play a lot of the very difficult-very challenging, just finishing. It seems that with songs such as Rose, my fingers just don't want to respond to the larger chains, its quite frustrating as I it seems my progression has been dampening.

[Brilliant Dynamite Neon]

3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.

Fingering:
Dominant hand index finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: right arrow key >
Off hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <

Advantages:
1. It is less draining than one handed.
2. Quick jumps and 16ths are easier.

Disadvantages:
1. It is harder to do up-down and left-up jumps.
2. Players have to temporarily switch to index to do rolls/staircases.

EDIT: Realized I forgot to change advantages.

[Billydude]

3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.

Fingering:
Dominant hand index finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: right arrow key >
Off hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <

Advantages:
1. It is less draining than one handed.
2. Quick jumps and 16ths are easier.

Disadvantages:
1. It is harder to do up-down and left-up jumps.
2. Players have to temporarily switch to index to do rolls/staircases.

EDIT: Realized I forgot to change advantages.
Cool, I'll copy and paste that.

[Morehead_Kid]

how do i fix the settings for spread on ffr?

[Billydude]

how do i fix the settings for spread on ffr?
What do you mean? You mean auto hot key?

[Morehead_Kid]

I think that's what I mean...lol, how would I make the arrows letters on the keyboard?

[Billydude]

There's a link at the bottom of the first post on this thread. If you have any more questions ask it on that thread not this.

[falcondude]

Um... I play 4 finger on arrow keys. Not spread. It makes it easy to switch to index for trills that would be on the same hand for spread.

[Tommy5001]

How are you suppose to do spread if you have a laptop

[meiloyn]

I tried out spread on Trip to the Moon a few days ago. It makes my wrists ache.

[Billydude]

Meaningful bump, I told some guy to look here to see hand positions. =/

[Gadwin]

3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.

Fingering:
Dominant hand index finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: right arrow key >
Off hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <

Advantages:
1. It is less draining than one handed.
2. Quick jumps and 16ths are easier.

Disadvantages:
1. It is harder to do up-down and left-up jumps.
2. Players have to temporarily switch to index to do rolls/staircases.


This is the one I used to use and kinda still do. However I would have:
Right hand middle finger alternating up and down arrows v ^
Right hand ring finger on right arrow >
Left have middle finger on left arrow <

However this method worked extremely well for the cascades, aka "staircase" as you merely needed to roll your right middle finger over the two keys.

This style was pretty good, and I had been using it for a very long time until half my class got into the DDR thing when we were making out own DDR games, and started to play some FFR.

I owned all the newcomers to FFR as I had extensive practice with StepMania. Then my good man FuxxorFox started using a new style.


Spread: Spread is the position most veterans or elites play (including myself ). Spread is hard to master at first, especially if you started out one handed. But from experience, switching to spread will make you a better player. And before I explain fingering let me point out the number pad. The number pad is not the number above all the letters, it is on the very right of your keyboard and has numbers on it. If you look at the 8, 6, 4, and 2 you will notice they have arrows, these arrows can be used in FFR also.*
*note: if you play Stepmania, you will have to go to options and map it or else this position won't work.

Fingering:
Left middle finger goes on: left arrow key <
Left index finger goes on: down arrow key v
Right index finger goes on: 8 numberpad
Right middle finger goes on: 6 numberpad

Advantages:
1. It covers all 4 arrows
2. It doesn't wear out your hand

Disadvantages:
1. It makes the up and right arrow keys jealous XD.
2. Running men may be harder with this position.


However with this one he used it with the four fingers upon the arrow keys, and at home, on his laptop the numpad.
Left middle on <
Left index on v
right middle on ^
right ring on >

I recently only a few days ago tried to adopt the style. And it is pretty hard to convert, however, yeah, it is much better than what I was using. The main reason I started to change was because it was faster, and my keyboard at home is STICKINESS to the max. Seriously. So I adopted his style, on the numpad, and am doing OK with it. It takes a bit of getting used to.

And while playing I found another advantage. After a few intense songs with my old style, I was getting tired. I came home today, and played with his style, and I'm absolutely fine. Only on a 5min or longer or so song put pain on my hand and even then, it stopped after the song was over and a few min.

Then here I am. Whats my rank?
Ah. 29,000 on the dot.
I shant play anymore tonight, as I have played quite a bit and earned a few hundred credits in the past while.

Anyways, thats my story. Probably no one took the time to read it anyway. Oh well.

[stlunatic0124]

I wouldn't exactly consider novacaine an elite.

[prettypapercuts]

Please do not kill me.. just saying I use 2 hands, four fingers... been doing that since I started. *Right index:^, Left index: v, Right middle: >, Left middle: <. As soon as I first saw FFR last year that's the exact way I started and I haven't changed it. But it does tired my wrists and arms out quickly though, but then again that may be the virus eating away at my joints. Stupid virus. But yeah anyways, the only reason I say this is because I haven't talked to anyone that does it this way.. and Gadwin just mentione dit.

[meno_rocks123]

Dominant hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand ring finger goes on: right arrow key >left-handed anyone?
3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.once again, wrong. Who the hell uses two hands and doesn't use four fingers?
2. Running men may be harder with this position.running men are hard no matter what style you use. don't keep it just to spread.

and you missed four-fingered two-handed. two hands, all on the arrow keys.


nice sticky fish, but it is fail.

[DarkbearX]

running men are hard no matter what style you use. don't keep it just to spread.


Actually, I think indexers have a huge advantage with running men. I'm not exactly sure, as I'm not index, but they seem like they'd be simple =\.

p.s. I really suck at running men.

[bmah]

Who the hell uses two hands and doesn't use four fingers?

and you missed four-fingered two-handed. two hands, all on the arrow keys.


:3 :3 I sometimes use two hands with two fingers, so HA! It works pretty well on some occasions.

And ya, Billydude has yet to update everything; I've suggested a different fingering position in an earlier post, but it's not up on his first post.

[grafx5]

4 fingered one hand: I have only known one or 2 people who actually use this position actually, and I find it rather difficult. It is basically the same as the 3 fingered one hand techique, but instead of your middle finger controlling both the up and down arrows, your thumb controls the down arrow.

Fingering: The fingering is the same as 3 fingered one hand, except your thumb controls the down v arrow.

Advantages:
1. If one of your hands is extremely dominant over the other, this is a good way to cover all four keys.

Disadvantages:
1. It feels pretty awkward to most people.
2. It wears out your one hand.

The way I do 4-finger one hand is right index <, middle v, ring ^, pinky >. I started doing that to overcome the challenges faced using 3-finger when there is freeze in stepmania. Took me a while to get used to but it improved my playing skill by a huge amount.

I play on a laptop, so the keys are smaller than normal arrow keys, making it more comfortable to do this.

[Billydude]

Who the hell uses two hands and doesn't use four fingers?

TS_SonicMaster. You'd be surprised, I think there are more people that use this position too.

P.S. Updating right now. =/

[MooMoo_Cowfreak]

I noticed a four finger V2 in the making.

I play like so:

Left Middle <
Right Index >
Left Index V
Right Middle ^

[meno_rocks123]

I use
left index v
left middle <
right index ^
right middle >

[Tommy5001]

How are you suppose to paly spread with a laptop

[Gadwin]

3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.

once again, wrong. Who the hell uses two hands and doesn't use four fingers?


Read post because I did. And its quite affective too.
right middle <
left middle v ^
right ring >

And you spread on the laptop using the num keys. thats what my friend did.

And I don't understand how people can play with their right index ^ and right middle >. It seems like that would tire out the hand so much because of the position it is in.

[Billydude]

How are you suppose to paly spread with a laptop
I guess you would just have to use mapping keys. =/

Btw I'm editing right now.

[grafx5]

4 Fingers One Hand V2:


left- right hand, index finger
up- right hand, middle finger
right- right hand, ring finger
down- left hand, index finger
Is this a mistake?

[Ambigrams]

Wow, i've switched from one hand to spread and it's certainly alot easier.

[hoochan]

You should add pictures.

[g4z33b0]

Not worth a sticky even with pics, already in FAQ.

[Billydude]

Not worth a sticky even with pics, already in FAQ.
Pfft, barily. Synth doesn't exlain where to put your fingers.

[g4z33b0]

If you are reading the FAQ then best guess is that the only "keys" you will be using are the arrows or the numberpad. So its basically self explanatory. Im not saying this is a bad guide, just a sticky isn't really necessary.

[Billydude]

Where should I put my fingers?
Do what feels natural to you. The most common play styles are:

"Four-finger": one finger on each key

"Three-finger": index and middle finger on your main hand, index finger only on the other

"Index": both index fingers covering all four keys

"One-hand": three or four fingers on one hand only

Each have their advantages and disadvantages. Try them all to feel what works best for you, and then pick one and stick with it to improve your skill. Most people agree that one-hand is the most difficult, though.

This is all they have on the FAQ. Not nearly as many hand position or details. It never even mentions the num pad actually.

[falcondude]

3 fingered two hand: This is the hand position that mostly average/pretty good players use.

Fingering:
Dominant hand index finger goes on: alternates on up and down arrow key v ^
Dominant hand middle finger goes on: right arrow key >
Off hand index finger goes on: left arrow key <

So a lefty has to cross their fingers over? XD

Fix please

[spinal_compression]

Still could use some pictures!
Like a shot of someones keyboard.
And the placement of your fingers on the keyboard shown.

[DarkbearX]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/DarkbearX/spreadrofl.jpg

There's standard left right 8 6 spread. I might make other shots later.

[Billydude]

I'm serious this needs to be stickied. Meaningful bump.

[falcondude]

Agreed. Sticky this please.

[Billydude]

Okay, apparently MODs don't check the newbie forum. Which MOD do you think will be most likely to sticky this?

[bobbyluigi]

haha i thought i was unique for using left down 8 6 fingering, but im switching to spread now anyway

[falcondude]

Uhh... what? Left down 8 6 IS spread. Wtf?

[Ikasugai]

This is absolutly a fantastic guide.
Thanks.


~Ikasugai

[dummyman]

Wow huge bump, but I was wondering why you guys left out 4 finger num pad?

[Billydude]

Wow huge bump, but I was wondering why you guys left out 4 finger num pad?
Lol, cuz nobody uses it. XD.

[dummyman]

Umm,... Ok you give me proof that no one uses it. You can't because I use it.

[Morehead_Kid]

This needs to be stickied and I have to thank Billydude. If it wasn't for him I'd never have known about the number keys being usable. The spread <,v,8,6 has improved my game IMMENSELY. I've gone from FCing 5s to FCing a 8! So I'm just stopping by here to say thank you.

[Billydude]

Yay, I feel so special.

P.S. I have the basic ones. If you want me to add anymore please just type it out yourself.

[Tommy5001]

.l

[DDrave]

Well when i first started ffr and to this day i sitll play with this setup though im trying to learn spread. I also use the index finger method but instead using mididle finger.

3 fingers on dominant hand, 1 finger on .. uh ahh i keep forgetting this word but in other words, crap hand.

for me - Dominant hand middle finger 'up' /\
- Dominant index finger 'down' \/
- Dominant ring finger 'right' >
- other hand middle or index finger 'left' <

Although i started off wicked with this its getting old and its hard for me to do right-up combinations as well as sometimes up down so sometimes my left hand will substitute for the up.

if your left hand is Dominant do the opposite. Hope this helps.

[1337h4xz0r]

My one handed setup is nice if you're willing to get used to it, somewhat strange, but works well for me. =)
i use 1 2 3 and 0 on the numpad (for keyboard users), i use my thumb on the 0, helps i guess so i can use 4 fingers for retarded songs.

-hope it helps someone.

[spinal_compression]

4 Fingers One Hand V2:


left- right hand, index finger
up- right hand, middle finger
right- right hand, ring finger
down- left hand, index finger


That uses two hands though...:-?

[SulferDragon]

I've been using a really odd spread format: r=< t=v k=^ l=> It took me one song to get used to, but after that I was doing much better then I was with zx./ It doesn't put any strain on me at all, and has made trills 500 times easier. I suggest people try it!

[swamiguy]

I've been using a really odd spread format: r=< t=v k=^ l=> It took me one song to get used to, but after that I was doing much better then I was with zx./ It doesn't put any strain on me at all, and has made trills 500 times easier. I suggest people try it!

That actually feels good to use.

I'm just tapping my keys right now and it feels really comfortable!

I also suggest this hand positioning and everyone should use it!

The bad thing is...

...I'm too lazy to change my arrowkeys to zx./ so I wont be using it.

BUT IT STILL FEELS GOOD!

~swamiguy