Freestyling Tips

Dollar Bill (OG) · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: BDC

Maybe I would think to keep it on 3 the most.

My problem is some songs, even on a 2 footer, can fail you VERY quickly for missing a small handful of arrows.

If we're going for accuracy, then we might as well just call it techtyle. It also limits the songs we can do if we keep focusing on the damn arrows.

It would also mean forget beginner since the arrows are too easy.

There never seems to be a happy medium anymore.

Dollar Bill
"Feeling more and more disgruntled."
_________________

Permanently retired.

Phrekwenci · Administrator Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Location: New York, NY

dj 8-ball · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 2:10 pm Post subject:

I say the FS'er still has to make an honest and committed attempt to REALLY hit his arrows. Sure he's a got a routine (improv, edit or not) but missing on purpose or getting lazy with stepping for the purpose of looking good doesn't quite do it. In exhibtion, yes. But actual tourney? I don't think so. That's why some tourneys upped the difficulty level. Just have a good routine AND make sure you're hitting your arrows and the only time the judges or audience should notice that it's not happening is 1) the FS'er is BS'ing through moves or 2) the big FAILED appears. Just my .02.
_________________

If Soujiro started at full speed fighting Kenshin he would have won but nooooo...:

dj_xero · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:48 pm Post subject:

Challenge Chicken · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:21 pm Post subject:

All right, I think I'm going to try FSing to Mobo Moga Double Light Little (Man I'm so indecicive). I'm going to try to stick to it this time because I have bought props. Incentive NOT to change routines

(Bag was too slow, Ska A Go Go had steps that were kinds tricky to make it NOT look like a step chart, Legend of Max is just too much, and Mobo Moga is just plain, simple, and EASY)

What I'm thinking is using a couple of PVC pipes and then batting at the bars like a makeshift drumset to the drumbeat/beat of steps.

Just an idea, is it any good/original?

What props have been creative and eye appealing and which ones haven't?

QHeretic (^0^)\m/! YATTA · Trick Member Joined: 16 Oct 2003

Well I'd suggest you change the routine a bit now cause now everyone knows what to expect

Ya should just surprise everyone with your idea when the time comes, or else everyone else in the competition will know what they're up against. Not that it sounds like a bad routine, cause it sounds neat, but still.

I'm not gonna be very competitve about it but I guarantee you there WILL be a lot who are.
_________________

-------------
Freestyle Gallery (updated 1-23-04) 6 new vids. Feedback welcome

Challenge Chicken · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:19 pm Post subject:

that is true. But I've talked to about 4 people from where I'm at, and I've told them all at least 6 different songs I was thinking of doing, every time I have talked to them, I have told them a different song.
If a ny of them care, they still really don't have much of an idea of what I'd do, or even take my last post as even serious.

I have indeciciveness on my side, for now at least. Hell, I'm still throwing ideas around. I've already posted something about Bag, Ska A Go Go and I think something else, neither of those posts are too far apart from each other.

I wouldn't be too surprised if I say something like 'I think I'm going to try Across the Nightmare on doubles', in at least 4 days

Phrekwenci · Administrator Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Location: New York, NY

If you're going to be drumming, why not do something from GF/DM to go with it?
_________________

Best thread on DDR Freak winnar | Second best thread | Posting and You...

Challenge Chicken · Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2003 9:54 pm Post subject:

Actually, I did think about that.

I tried Across The Nightmare just to see what the steps were like and as much as I would like to drum like a spaz, I don't think I could pull it off as well as I'd like to

I heard someone was going to FS Jet World, so I kinda veered away from it.

I also saw the FS to Mikeneko Rock by Bruce Leroy. I don't think I could hold a candle to that.

Least 100 seconds just flat out sucked in my opinion. I tried it out and I didn't like it at all.

Destiny Lovers and I'm gonna get you I haven't looked at. If they can beat my choice songs at the moment, it's on!

Your Bishonen Savior · Trick Member Joined: 23 Oct 2003

a freestyle to Mikeneko Rock by Bruce Leroy? Where'd you get it? I want to see that. I mean the one that Cyanide did at PSM was really nice. I can't believe he didn't get 1st.

Anyways as far as difficulty and such..... I think that if the machine doesn't have a memory card slot, it should be 1. If they do, it should be 3-4. Cause then you can make your own edit steps for your own freestyle. But then it's not really a freestyle, but rather a dance routine.

And one thing I want to say about the very first post: I'm sorry but arm movement should be limited. Cause a good dance isn't some spastic rave. Rave dances are cool because the lights are out and everyone has glow sticks. JDogg's freestyle is nice because it's NOT using the arms too much. I mean when you watch a PiU korean freestyle video you don't see them moving their arms around like they're having a seizure.

Heck they've found ways to incorporate alot of TRUE breakdance moves into their stuff AND hit the arrows. Personally I think DDR freestyles are to a point that people can't figure out how to make it better. I mean on one end of the spectrum you have Dinkot who thinks DDR is Para Para Paradice mixed with rave (and Jboy to some extent *cough*), and on the other is all the Kid Zero's. There's not alot of originality. Sure you have the 2 super ninja's and Knee Drawps routines as well as Cyanide, but there's not alot of originality going on in the freestyle department.

Bebbies

my favorite DDR videos in no order:
Knee Drawp "Radical Faith"
2 Super Ninjas "My Generation"
Cyanide "Mikeneko Rock"
Kid Zero "After the Game of Love"

my favorite PiU videos in no order:
Arroyo "Funky Tonight"
Choi Youngdae "Solitary"
Tee and Hwang "Naissence"
Park Areum "Fighting Spirits"
Kim Kaisuk "Caution"
_________________
Honda NSR series

Jing · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2003 10:35 pm Post subject:

I think you've got the wrong idea there. True, a good dance isn't some spastic rave. And true, arm movement is bad when it's random, spastic, and really bad ravish (that's not a word, but you get the idea). But it is a good thing when done right. All you've said in your post is that arm movement should be limited altogether. There's more than just the spastic stuff you see at raves (though, there ARE some good dancers at raves who know what they're doing).

Jdogg's routine was nice back then because of the sliding, not because of the lack of arm movement. It's no big thing now.

There ARE PIU freestyle vids where arms move spasticly. There are also the ones where the arms just hang there. Both are equally bad. Personally, I would rather move my arms spasticly rather than let them hang.

Then there are also the vids with controlled and good arm movement. Those I like.

Now, I'm not quite sure what you meant by TRUE breakdancing moves. People always seemed to be vague on that. If you meant...
1) Handslaps and kneedrops. Just no. Nope. Nada. I put this here just in case. Some PIU vids have a alot (bad), some a little (not bad), some none (good).

2) Gymnastic feats. Ok...sometimes, breakdancing borrows power moves from gymnastics. But gymnastics alone doe not make it breakdancing. Front tucks, backflips, and flares on a bar is not breakdancing. not to mention these are often done when there are no arrows on the screen. Many PIU vids have this.

3) Groundwork. Uh...looks good if do it in a good way. I dunno how to be more specific here, but if it gravitates toward #1 then it's a no-no. A bunch of the better PIU vids have this.

4) Handstands and freezes. This works quite nicely, as they're more used as finishers rather than random moves in the middle of a freestyle. Many PIU vids have this.

I only saw one vid so far that had some actual downrocking, and that was A Funky Tonight routine by some guy whose name I don't know.
_________________

Barely visits.

Your Bishonen Savior · Trick Member Joined: 23 Oct 2003

well here's my main point: Other than a rave which really doesn't count, what REAL dance uses a rediculous amount of arm movement? It should be limited and controlled really well is the thing. A dance is basically a movement of the feet and body as one to a specific beat. Jdoggs stuff is still good in my opinion because he doesn't ruin the dance with ugly arm movement and doesn't keep his arms stiff. Though Cyanide and Knee Drawp's "Radical Faith" freestyles had a bit better controll of it. If you want to see good use of feet and arms together, watch the PiU video by Tee and Hwang here.

and yea I'm definatley not meaning 1. They incorporate those only because they're already down on the pad doing other things. Check out the 5 videos I mentioned in the last post. They're all at the link I just gave. Besides, when I say breakdancing moves, I mean breakdancing moves. Not just gymnastics. I saw one where a guy basicaly does a bar assisted suicide flip and another where a guy pulls off a windmill ON the pad. Probably the best one in terms of Breakdancing moves is Choi Youngdae as well as Park Areum.

PS I think the one to Funky Tonight u'r thinking of is the one I mentioned in the last post. It's also on the site so you can check and see if it is.
_________________
Bone Disorders Forum

QHeretic (^0^)\m/! YATTA · Trick Member Joined: 16 Oct 2003

Phrekwenci · Administrator Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Location: New York, NY

Jing · Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 10:09 am Post subject:

Link works, but the video download links do not.

From what you've said, I'd have to conclude you don't have a very open-minded idea about dance. Dance is supposed to be a feet and body as one to the beat? Well, that's all fine and good. But dance is simply movement to the beat. Dance is a very broad term.

Many breakers have alot of arm movement. Some don't. It's all good. It's just part of their style. And there are plenty of dance styles out there that emphasise arm movement over leg movement.

1) Popping - Hell yes. This should be counted not as one, but at least a dozen. Afterall, it is only an umbrella term for many, many styles.

2) Locking - Anyone who sees this and tells me it has more leg than arm movement, tell me.

3) Liquid - What a good "rave" should be. From my point of view, it doesn't have to involve arm movement, so it's kinda iffy there.

4) Macarena - I just thought this up, and it seemed funny. But still an example.

5) Generic Hip Hop - Arm movement? Yes. Though this is also very broad, and I can't say much for it.

6) Para Para - It may be a fad, and no matter what you think, it is still a dance style.

Oh...suicide flip and windmill? Well, I have only one thing to say about this. Power moves alone do not make breakdancing. And where can he possibly find room on the pad to pull off a windmill? Or the time to do it and still hit arrows? Unless he did, and there were no arrows on the screen. Then it's not impressive. Sure, the fact that he can do a windmill is impressive, but with no arrows, it's the cheap way out.
_________________

Barely visits.

Your Bishonen Savior · Trick Member Joined: 23 Oct 2003

Captain Canada · Trick Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002 Location: yes

http://www.pumpitup.com.mx/multimedia_01.html - these work.

I especially like 4, 5, and 9, but I dunno. It's all breaking and power moves, and while that's all good (if repetitive), there's no reason to diss other styles of dance others try in DDR. Unless there's some strictly hip-hop PIU stuff, which I'd really like to see.

DDRers already tried the style seen in those videos with Dynamite Rave and whatnot and, thanks to arrow placement and limited moves, the routines got really old over time. Eventually hip-hop dance/pop and lock took over and became the new accepted tournament winning style. You can't really compare breaking and club/music video dancing, and you sure can't tell us to go and develop a new freestyle uh, style, because we've already tried it...and failed miserably.
_________________

record breakin' temperature in here. LIGHTWEIGHT BABY.

Your Bishonen Savior · Trick Member Joined: 23 Oct 2003

k yea that seems to have alot of them. the 1st one you linked to was ok but wasn't that impressive *U might need to do some weird things with the link. I just changed the link from 01 to 04 to get to the main page*. 4 was the one with the really well done helicopter kick AND it's a good example of almost well balanced arm movement. It was almost going a bit too heavy but some of the other stuff made up for it. 5 is Kim Kaisuk's "caution" video. Pretty good break dancing on it. 9 I hadn't seen. 6 is the one with Tee and Hwang. Really good. 7 is good too. That's Park Areum "Fighting spirits". and 10 seems like a good Para Para styled freestyle. Nice link.

Correction: Only partially Para Para styled.
_________________
ICD Promaster

ã©ã¤ã¹ · Trick Member Joined: 26 May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA