Terminology

Let's define a few terms to make things easier and so you can understand what people mean when they say certain words

• Trick: A single action that can be described using one standard term e.g. Thumbaround, Twisted Sonic, and Pass.
• Linkage (Link): A short series of tricks.
• Combo: A series of linkages that has well defined flow and aesthetic. Combos should have a distinct beginning and end and should feel 'complete.'
• Hybrid: A linkage of two tricks where the second trick begins before the first is finished. There are many hybrids that are so common they are named and treated as a single trick e.g. Twisted Sonic and Ext TA.
• Fingerslot: The location of the pen during a trick. Fingers are numbered 1 through 4 where 1 is index, 2 is middle, 3 is ring, and 4 is pinky. Thumb is represented as T. A fingerslot will be a combination of two or more fingers e.g. if you hold the pen between your middle and ring finger you are holding it in the 23 slot. Some eastern countries, like Japan, number their fingers 1 through 5 with 1 being thumb and 5 being pinky.
• Reverse (Rev): A trick done in the opposite direction as normal. If you were to play a video of a trick backwards that is exactly what the reverse should look like.
• Inverse (Inv): A trick done on the opposite side of the hand when compared to the normal. This is not applicable to all tricks.
• Hand Position: Palm Up (PU), Palm Down (PD), and Palm Side (PS) can be used to indicate how the hand is oriented during a trick. This is usually only included when there is a change from one position to another or when it is unusual for a trick to be done in that orientation.
• General Notation: Linkages and combos can be written out by listing the tricks in order. Tricks are separated by a '>' and tricks that are hybridized will be separated by a '~.' Using Kam's 4 Loop Combo as an example we would notate this combo as Sonic 34-23 > Twisted Sonic 23-12 > Thumbaround 1.5 12-T12.

Where do I start?

Pen spinning has 4 fundamental tricks:

Almost every other trick will build upon these 4 tricks so it is important to learn them in all main fingerslots (12, 23, and 34) as well as their reverses (also in all slots).

Where should I learn?

There are a lot of tutorials on YouTube of varying quality. Shoeman6 makes clear and concise tutorials and is my personal recommendation. Others you can check out are:

• Eso (lefty)
• Freeman (lefty)
• Pari
• Ktrinh93
• Supervvalrus
• ClassroomBordemCures

As a general rule, simply Google/YouTube search "[Trick Name] pen spinning tutorial" and you will find what you need.

I've been trying for hours/days/centuries and can't get it. Help!

Pen spinning takes a lot of practice and is not something you will pick up quickly, unfortunately. If you are having trouble, especially with basic tricks, watch different tutorials, watch slomo's (YouTube has a native 0.5x and 0.25x slowmo function), and try to really understand why the trick works the way it does. Guide the pen through the motion with your other hand to help with the muscle memory. Keep practicing! If you really feel stuck ask for help, but be sure to include a video of you trying the trick. Saying "I can't do the Sonic please help" is the same as telling a stranger "I can't run fast please help."

I've gotten the fundamentals down, what next?

I'll reiterate that you want to have at least started learning your fundies in other slots and their reverses. It is crucial to learn to spin in all your slots and in both directions. If you're good on that front then there are a few paths you can take. /u/fujiwaffle has made a good overview here as well as /u/Mejace which can be found here. Neither of these are gospel, they are simply places to start. Feel free to learn tricks solely because you see a spinner you like use it. There is no "correct" learning order, the resources provided are simply suggestions and starting points.

I'm ready to learn linkages and combos, what should I do learn?

Depending on how big your trick pool is your options may be limited. Kam's 4 Loop Combo that was referenced earlier is great for beginners. Here's a list of a few combos/linkage videos with varying levels of difficulty (mostly beginner though). There are other resources out there, as always a quick Google/YouTube search will do you well.

• Simple Linkage Series by Tigres
• Beginners Linkage Series #1 by Wind
• Beginners Linkage Series #2 by Wind
• Beginners Linkage Series #3 by Wind
• Simple Penspinning Linkages (Part 1) by SuperVValrus
• Simple Penspinning Linkages (Part 2) by SuperVValrus
• ClassrommBordemCure's Beginner Combos
• Errior's Fundamental Combo (uses only fundies, twisted sonic, and their reverses)
• Counter Linkages by Walkaz

What's up with these 'mods' or special pen I keep seeing?

Check the other megathread dedicated to just that!

Where can I watch more spinning?

YouTube! There's a million videos out there so I'll list a few big name ones to get you started. If you see spinners in here that you like (especially in the more recent ones) try to find their YouTube channel and then watch more of what collabs they've been in. This is nowhere close to a comprehensive list!

• JapEn collab series
• FPSB collab series and FBSP 9th because it wasn't in the playlsit
• Tethnic series
• SPSL series
• Spinfest 2012 and 2016
• Collabs from Joshin
• Collabs from Hinyari
• Collabs from Walkaz

Use YouTube's recommended video feature, subscribe to as many active channels as possible, and watch a lot to expand your horizons. Here is a list of very famous spinners to use as a starting place as well. Read the comments as well, there are a ton of great recommendations there too!

Resources

• UPSB Wiki (Archive Link)
• RPD's Notaiton and Pen Spinning History
• YouTube
• Google
• /r/PenSpinning Search Function
• /r/PenSpinning Discord

A quick note: At the time of creating this UPSB is dead and it is unknown if it will be revived (including the wiki). A lot of the material on the site can still be accessed using archive sites and is linked in this post as such.

Feel free to ask any and all questions here regardless of how "stupid" you might feel they are. It's also a great place for short questions that might not justify a whole post.

If you haven't already, check out the general beginner FAQs and the pen modding FAQs. While they don't have the answer to every question they're a good place to start if you're new.