[Death Jester]

Hey again, all. I'm half-way practicing my toprocks, and I just realized that my legs were moving too slow. After I jump one foot over the other, I can't pull it back to my original position. Like, i'm always very far off from where I start, and I can never seem to move my legs back to the original position fast enough. I'm currently practicing without music, cause I can't find any good torrents for the beginner songs.

[Nitwit]

train some rope jumpin dude you'll get way faster
for the songs u can also lissen to tha radio or sumthin

peace

[Death Jester]

It doesn't help that I keep ending off away from where I started. How much distance should I move when I jump one leg over the other, anyhow?

[Bgirl_Jigsaw]

I used to have the same problem. I would always jump too far away from the orginal position and because of that, the timing would be off and I would miss the beat. I then started jumping a smaller distance and used my arms, as well as my hips (turn then as I step out) and the movement was a lot easier. I watched video toprock turoials constantly in slow motion and followed along so I would get the hang of it. Maybe, that might work for you, but posting a video of yourself doing would make it easier to point out what you are doing wrong.

[Death Jester]

That's a good idea. I'll get a video once I'm sure I won't embarrass myself to death. xD
Anyhow, is there any faster way to get the tracks that are listed for beginners?
Also, what do you mean by use your hips? Cause, i'm like, following Bboy Tosh's tutorial step-by-step. :P

Edit: I've only been doing this for about a week now. How long does it usually take to get the basics?

[bboy turbo]

play ddr. it will help u with that. ive been playin for three years and i have some quick ass tops.

[Phirak]

haha i wouldnt say having fast tops is something to be proud of, unless of course you are dancing to a fast song..but yah, speed comes with practice and technique, don't worry about it if you are a bit off/slow with hitting the beats, it takes some time for the style to come if you aren't naturally good, like me lol >_<. it took me quite a while to get really good at it, but once you do, i promise it wont matter if the song is fast or slow, you won't miss a beat =)

[Bboy Pryd3]

uh... i dont think it really matters if you have slow movements.. as long as you are sticking with the beat of the song...

If your doing a fast song and cant seem to move fast enough.. try to practice on slow ones first.

[Bgirl_Jigsaw]

What I meant by using the hips is when you go to step out on to the one foot turn your hips in that direction so that you upper body is isolated and and remains facing the front while your hip and lower body will be facing the side. I can post a video tutorial if you want.

[Death Jester]

Yeah, that'd be much appreciated. I'm already using my hands, and the distance i'm moving is already really small, so i'm wondering if using my hips would actually do anything, cause I can't really imagine what difference it'd make.

[Desi Boogie]

bboys don't usually have hips to work with but :P

jk, anyway fast clean tops are actually something to be proud of, you'll really need them for rocking faster beats at jams, if you're rocking half time good luck with someone who comes out rocking the beat twice as fast and burning you twice as quick.

My tops are tailored to suit the song, but clean fast tops will really help.

However if you're just learning, don't sweat it, just focus on hitting the beat first and then move onto speed, it all comes with lots of practice, i'm just lucky enough to have a real passion for toprock so i do it all the time.

Peace

[Death Jester]

Would any song with a regular, distinctive beat that's not too fast be good? Currently, I'm practicing to a rotation of In Flames - Free Fall, In Flames - Metaphor, and Triple Threat Morning Showers, though the last is a little confusing on the beats.

Oh, and jz, were you the one who added me to MSN?

[Bgirl_Jigsaw]

I understand the distance travelled is really small, but the internal rotation of the hip movement will give you better posture/form, and a momentum that will clean/speed up your tops.

[Desi Boogie]

Work the love handles!

Yeah jest i added you on msn. Imma come on now and give you some tips.

Peace

[Saruto]

lol that seal in your sig has some nice ass crickets.