Solo guide for awesome 6-panel sexiness!!

[stargroup]

I've noticed that a few people might be interested in stepping solo charts, but have no idea (or think they have no idea) how to make a good solo chart since they're new to solo. This is essentially a guide to help you guys know what makes a good solo chart.

Before we go into what makes a good solo chart, let's go through some FAQ.

FAQ

Q: What is solo?
A: 6-panel sexiness. Much cooler than 4-panels in the long run. In fact, I could write a whole essay about why 4-panels as a keyboard simulation is stupid in the first place but never mind that.

Q: Stepmania only has 4 arrows, what do I do?
A: Not really you dumb sh*t. If you go into the editor you'll notice a line that says

StepsType: dance-single

Go to that row and keep going right until you see "dance-solo." Up until now you've probably never used that row huh?

Q: My Stepmania sucks for solo.
A: Chances are you're using SM 4.0. I highly recommend getting 3.9, the best editor for solo. Might not be as fancy and you might not like it much, but it's worth playing.

Q: Solo is hard.
A: Because you're not used to it. Play more and you'll get better. Although it'll feel like you're learning how to play SM all over again, it's actually not that bad, since you already have experience with 4 arrows (assuming).

Practice practice practice.

Q: Where can I find solo files?
A: ODI has most of the good solo files ever made (and a few sh*tty ones too).
http://www.omgdidinsane.com/
Go to the Solo Simfiles board and download the two big packs in the "200 files itt" thread. That should be more than enough to get you started. Here's the thread if you're lazy.
http://www.omgdidinsane.com/forums/v...t=7578&start=0

EDIT: Xiao has been nice enough to compile plenty of files in this thread: http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/...d.php?t=110328
And this includes his Beginner Packs for Solo.

Q: What keyboard configuration should I use?
A: Most people use [qweiop], although you can use whatever you like, as long as you have 3 fingers on each hand. (You can try putting 4 fingers on a hand or even 5 but good luck playing the files lol) I personally use [qwe,./].
If your keyboard doesn't register single-handed triples, I honestly don't know what to suggest since it's never been a problem for me. Raine suggested {qwro[]}, and though I'm sure it works since he suggested it, I doubt it will be very comfortable. Play around with different configurations to see if you can find the best choice for you.

Q: I'm still bad at solo.
A: Then you're a slow learner. Stop complaining and practice. Remember how much play time you accumulated to get that good at singles? This is the same thing, but now there are more keys. Stop being impatient.

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE god

Q: Solo is stupid.
A: No you are. Solo is revolutionary and infinitely underrated as of now.

Q: I have a question but it's not in this list.
A: Post it in this thread and I'll answer it. If it's common enough I'll update this FAQ with more questions.


Also, I highly recommend that you get the Notebar noteskin if you haven't. It'll help you a LOT in the long run. If for some reason the file isn't working let me know and I'll find another link. This noteskin is pretty essential, and most people use some form of this noteskin for solo.
http://www.bemanistyle.com/sims/simfile.php?id=1827
http://www.2shared.com/file/3594208/...3/notebar.html
UPDATE: Notebar+
http://www.sendspace.com/file/0dq4qb


Now for the meat of the thread.

STARGROUP'S AWESOME SOLO GUIDE

Okay, for those who want to make solo charts but don't know how, here's what you do.

1. Do whatever you did to make a singles file.

That's it. I'm not even kidding. Just make the file as you normally would, as if you were making a singles chart.

Alright, it's not THAT simple, there are a few catches.

2. Don't overlayer if you don't know what you're doing.

Layering is even more flexible now that you have 6 keys. In fact, triples and quads are EXTREMELY common. Don't be afraid to use them. Here's some statistics to show you how flexible solo is.

Combinations of possible step patterns
Type - {single, solo}

Single note - {4,6}
Doubles - {6, 15}
Triples - {4, 21}
Quads - {1, 15}

That means with solo, there are 21 different triples and 15 different quad combinations. As you can see, it's a step artist's dream come true. HOWEVER, overdo it and the file will probably turn out really bad. A hard solo file is NOT like a hard singles file. Keep your target in mind and stay focused.

"Hey you forgot quintuples and sextuples!"
No, I just didn't feel like typing them since it's quite obvious how you use them and how many combinations there are. Use sextuples generally the same way you would use quads in singles chart, and quints are equivalent to beefy triples.

3. Avoid awkward patterns.

In singles, you didn't really have to worry too much about awkward patterns. In fact, usually when people say that a file is awkward, they're not talking about the patterns, but about how it fits with the file. That's because there aren't many combinations to begin with, and after a while, the player will have experienced ways to deal with all of them.

Solo, on the other hand, is a little different. There are some patterns which are just HELL to hit no matter how good you are with your fingers. (then again if you're like linus or kenji you're an exception, but you wouldn't be human)

Here are the 2 major patterns you should avoid at high speeds (I emphasize high speeds because when used sparingly they are actually extremely fun).

- Trills on outside fingers
This means trills between key 1 & 2 and 5 & 6. Try them yourself. Not exactly cake, huh? Now do it at 200 bpm 16th notes. Exactly.



- Brackets
Brackets are like this.
1. Start with either a [13] double or a [46] double.
2. Now hit either 2 if you hit a [13] double, or 5 if you hit a [46] double.
3. Now go back to either your [13] double or your [46] double.
4. Go back to step 2.
That's called a bracket. Now try doing THAT at high speeds. Exactly. Not pretty.

Look at the left side. That's what you DON'T want to do.


One thing to note about brackets is that they're very difficult to use effectively. However, if successful, brackets are one of the most fun patterns on solo. Kinda hard to find the balance but once you do you'll be an amazing solo stepartist. Master brackets; they can be your best friend or your worst enemy.

- Freezes
Another thing I've noticed is that people abuse long freezes too much in solo.
First of all, long freezes should not be abused in the first place. This is keyboard stimulation, not HOW MANY KEYS CAN I HOLD DOWN AT THE SAME TIME WHILE PLAYING THIS TRILL THAT'S CRAMMED OUTSIDE THE ALREADY IMPOSSIBLE TO READ MINES
Be sensible when dealing with freezes. Don't hold down 1 and 3 while putting lots of arrows on 2, don't hold down 2 while trilling between 1 and 3, etc.


Actually that's about it. Just keep in mind what you've learned and do what you would when stepping singles charts.

NOW GET TO SOLO STEPPING SEXINESS!!!