Good but slow files to train jumpstreams and mixes

[InvisiblePanda]

As I'm slowly progressing towards more difficult files, I have a big problem with jumpstreams and especially mixes of single notes with jumps/hands in streams (don't know what those are called). While it seems like every hard(er) file has those anyway, like 95% of them are way too hard and fast. While I can sight-read up to 130&140 bpm 16ths (not much, I know, but it gets better ), as soon as jumps mix with 16ths I die horribly^^ it's kinda doable if the jump sits on the quarter notes, but if there's a 16th jump in between, I just can't process it yet.

Could you suggest any files that have that stuff in particular (any other advice is appreiated too, of course!) but not "too fast"? That is, playing on 0.5 or 0.6 rate just sucks sound-wise, the songs lose the enjoyment-factor. It's OK for those high-pitched, sped-up songs though, since the voice just gets normal when lowering the rate. I feel like there's a gap I have to overcome, and once I did that I can (hopefully) enjoy a whole new variety of songs.

Thanks!

[Guilhermeziat]

Wait, do you play index or spread?

[InvisiblePanda]

Oh, I should have mentioned that maybe I play spread, so all of the above applies to hands instead of jumps as well.

[foxfire667]

Just to clarify, a stream of arrows with jumps contained within is a jumpstream, and one with hands is a handstream (a lot of times abbreviated JS or HS). JS/HS is a pretty big hurdle to jump over, and can be quite difficult to become proficient at.

Although I personally haven't played these easier packs, the or might be something to check out if you haven't already. I wish I had a more extensive list for you, but the only packs I recall having used as a beginner in SM was VGMP , , , and some random singles files. After that (and with already established skill with FFR) I was pushing it with stuff like the Hard Songs Megapack series.

You'll start getting the hang of it once you have seen all the possible combinations, and have hit them accurately. JS/HS is all about recognizing patterns, so you have to do less mental work figuring out what you actually have to hit. The more fluent you are at seeing patterns within the files, the quicker you'll be able to respond (and the more you'll be able to handle).

By the way, what is your CMod? Increasing it a little bit can actually make a pretty big difference with being able to read sections, and better make out patterns. If instead you are using XMod (1x, 2x, etc), change that to a CMod (C400, C500, etc) immediately!

[InvisiblePanda]

Wow thanks a lot for that detailed answer :-) It might be worth for me checking out the Novice Files compilation again. Last time I tried that was when I really started out, and for then it was quite hard. Now I should be doing OK with it, great reminder! I'll also download the VGMP stuff right now and try it.

My CMod is C850. That might seem quite high, but I just feel way more comfortable with the bigger distances between arrows. And even with C850 I sometimes wish the distance'd be greater, but higher is still too fast for me. Again, thanks!

[foxfire667]

I'm glad I could help, and hopefully at least some of the files within the packs I mentioned will be of use to you!

That CMod does seem pretty high, I personally am on the higher end for overhead and I only play C725! If you do play overhead also (it's what is default) perhaps the distant option could help you. Some of the higher tier players use a degree of distant with a higher CMod. Distant basically means that instead of the arrows scrolling straight up to the receptors, the scrolling area is sort of tilted back. Imagine like tilting your monitor back a bit and playing that way. I'm pretty sure there is a way to modify exactly how distant it actually is, but I can't seem to find any tutorials after a few quick searches.

[InvisiblePanda]

Oh, I hope you didn't waste too much time searching for tutorials in that direction. I actually tried all the different "styles" (overhead, distant, and so on) out of curiosity earlier and by chance stuck with distant anyway^^ I then modified it to be 125% distant even, but I'm back to the usual distant. It was just because on my screen, the arrows were way too big and clumsy with overhead, and distant immediately made me play better.

Sadly, I might have gone too far yesterday, I feel quite the strain in my wrists today and don't dare playing Stepmania right now... but I tried the packs you mentioned and there are really quite a lot of files that seem to be exactly on my level of training or a bit above, so I don't feel totally overwhelmed even on lower rates, but it's still a challenge. Perfect, thanks again!

[foxfire667]

No I didn't spend too much time, probably around 10 minutes or so looking around. Pretty cool you just so happened to hop on the distant wagon on your own anyway!

Glad to hear a bunch of the files are around what you were looking for! Also yeah that sounds like you pushed pretty intensely, seems like a decent call. Playing at your limit is a fantastic way to improve your skill, though staying there too long isn't the best idea. If the burn / tension is showing up with a little persistence, definitely have to cool down so it doesn't drag into the next day(s).

I'm sure now that you have what you need, improvement is only a bit more practice away!

[Guilhermeziat]

Wow that's weird, I use hallway lol.