How good/bad were you when you first started playing?

[NOAAAH]

First time I played was when we got 3rd Mix in our arcade(I miss it so much). I played the first song that shows up when you start the game, I was playing on beginner, and I failed horribly because I thought that you were supposed to look down and hit the flashing arrows, hahaha.
_________________

[That guy with the afro...]

[Suko]

[eflatmajor]

When I started I could pass most 6's but to be fair I had been playing Pump and FFR for quite a while so I just had to put the two together.

[pleasedon'thurtme]

[quote="That guy with the afro..."]

[That guy with the afro...]

I love this guy and his words. They're articulate and fashioned.

Also, I think that quote in a quote thing applies to chains of five or more.
_________________

frick YEAH BOAT!

[Haoie]

Wow, it's nearly 2 years since I've started properly playing.

I've really hit the wall in terms of ability.
_________________

Baby getting Higher, we're getting Higher
Open up your eyes, everyday is a surprise
You are the one, baby the only one
Tonight

[mb41186]

I remember I played at my friends house first, I would do light mode and didn't even know what speed mods where. after months of practice I finally got decent. won a standard mode tournament against an 11yr old and I was 19 lol, from there on I kept getting better.
_________________

DDRbeat.com my dance games page

[Neegro Pleeeze]

I played on beginner for the first 2 days when i started and within a week i could play 4's. Ive been playing for about 7 months now and i can play 10's.
_________________

That isent what your mom said

[tats]

[Slowpoke]

[balalaika]

The first time I ever played I was thirteen or so. Did Butterfly (on Beginner on an Extreme arcade machine at a movie theatre. I think I got a C or D. My friend playing with me got bored and wanted to get off, so an Asian kid hopped on next to me, set the level on his side to Heavy, and humiliated me. (This has become a recurring theme for me in arcades...) But I did pass every time. I think the thing I had most trouble with was hitting the arrows hard enough (this is another theme for me at arcades -- I have a very light step.)

Two years later, in October, that friend's sister got DDR at home and I played at her house every couple of weeks from then, progressing from beginner to light pretty easily. I remember the first time I played Speed over Beethoven on light, my friend said, "now watch out for this one part, you have to --" but before she could say anything I instantly figured out that the trick was to keep your feet off the centre, and from then on light mode was a cinch. Then I got SuperNova for Christmas and went from light to heavy in about two weeks. I remember being so intensely tuckered after playing Dance Dance or No. 13 on light mode... how strange!

That was two years ago. I kind of hit a wall on improvement, because I haven't been playing consistently -- I'm in that weird phase between 8s and 9s. Weirdly, in DDR, I've only ever managed to improve by forcing myself to do things that I'm not yet capable of, but that's not really possible with 9s and 10s because they do require practised technique. On the other hand, I have a second pad now and I'm finding that playing Doubles is really improving my speed, reading ability and ability to cross over.

My nemesis right now is Arrabbiata (on single)... I *will* beat that thing.

For the record, I do have musical experience (I've played flute since 9 and piano since 11) but I've never touched Guitar Hero in my life and the only video games I ever played much were RPGs and Super Smash Brothers (and not even those any more). I did do folk dancing as a kid which might have helped.