Flash Flash Revolution isn't played in any standardized way; players are free to use whatever hands, hand positions and fingers they feel like, the combinations are quite limitless.
The biggest differences in style come from the player's keyboard layout, this forces them to find a comfortable play style that varies. For instance the use of an ergonomic keyboard greatly changes the way the center of the keyboard is layed out and thus a split hand player would probably play differently than someone with a rectangular flat keyboard.
Additionally, the arrow key shape makes a large difference. There are two types of arrow set ups: triangular (left, down, middle, and up above the down key) and cross (left, down, right, up, arrayed in a more polarized fashion like a Dpad).
Finger Combinations
Finger usage is mostly centered around the main three fingers: thumb, index and middle. However, of course all fingers can be used, when playing in a single handed three finger style its quite common to see the ring finger used as well.
The index-middle, thumb-index, and thumb-middle combinations are probably most prominant for two hand usage.
One Handed
There are three main one handed styles.
Two Fingers
With two fingers, you'll be all over the arrow keys (or whatever keys you want) since you'll have to move your hand to adjust for the key locations.
Three Fingers
Three fingers allows you to keep two fingers static and attached to a certain key, whereas the middle finger of the three will be assigned to hit the up and down keys. Combinations get a little complicated, especially when the middle finger has to switch quickly.
Four Fingers
Four fingers is often unheard of. The main problem is that your fingers must use a jabbing motion instead of being able to tap or press the keys using a curved finger. The other problem is the use of the thumb and pinky in coordination with the others, since both fingers are often handicapped by size and muscle differences, they can get in the way. This play style is reserved for only the most courageous or players who want to take on a rediculous challenge.
Two Handed
Two handed is just that, the use of two hands. Players using two hands are always better than one handed players because their speed is significantly increased with the ability to coordinate button presses.
Additionally, two handed players get the "piano experience" and can take advantage of improvisation playing where one hand can take the place of the other. However, some players do this because one hand is slower than the other. As a result it can become a dependancy and a weakness of the player. If you're someone like this, keep an eye out for those times when you play three keys with one hand; if you're unable to change, you won't be able to get better or faster or able to take on the most difficult of songs.
Dpad Style
The Dpad play style can range from usage of the arrow keys to the numpad to the keyboard and even a hybrid split hand style however the Dpad style is mostly identifiable when the hands are close together.
There are a few ways to play this way on the arrow keys, depending on your set up and how it feels for you (finger length can be a factor). The first way, most common is to have each hand have two keys on each side, so left and up for the left hand and right and down for the right (up and down can be exchanged for each hand). The other way is to place the first hand on two keys, so for example the left hand on left and down keys, and then place the right hand above the last, on the right and up keys.
Much of the time the keyboard must be tilted slightly to become ergonomic (naturally curve with your wrists and other joints so they don't experience stress or pain).
Split Style
There are two types of split hand play styles, the first is a horizontal split where each hand gets two keys on the main area of the keyboard, for instance, D and F for the left hand, J and K for the right. For FFR, this play style requires a remapping of keys for it to work.
The second type is simple a wide diagonal split, for instance the use of key combinations such as D and R, and M and K.
Possible types of split combinations (again fingers and keys can be substituted with others):
- Keyboard Style
- S : Left Middle, D : Left Index, J : Right Index, K : Right Middle
- V Style
- G : Left Middle, B : Left Index, M : Right Index, and K : Right Middle.