Vo'ren Faalo, a renowned Jedi Master, created a set of training exercises known as Faalo's cadences. These cadences involved the manipulation of durasteel spheres placed on top of lit wax candles. Padawans who achieved mastery of this technique while blindfolded were excused from the Trial of Skill.
The core of each cadence developed by Vo'ren Faalo was the practice of standing within a circle of candles, attempting to strike the ball bearings without disturbing the flames. As a student progressed through the cadences, the number of candles increased. By the fifth cadence, the candles became unnecessary, as the student would instinctively know when the sequence was performed correctly, showcasing complete mastery.
First Cadence
The initial cadence involved nineteen candles, positioned in a semi-circle in front of the duelist at ten-degree intervals. The duelist's task was to strike each ball bearing while avoiding the candles below, thus enhancing sensory awareness and physical control. This required 190 ball bearings, with the exercise repeated until all bearings were "used up", typically taking about one hour.
Second Cadence
The second cadence utilized seventy-two candles, arranged in a complete circle around the duelist at five-degree intervals. Similar to the first, the objective was to strike each ball bearing without extinguishing any candles. However, in this cadence, the duelist was required to do so without turning to face each candle, further refining spatial awareness and body control. Completion required 2701 ball bearings and approximately two hours.
Third Cadence
In the third cadence, 180 candles were positioned in a full circle, spaced at two-degree intervals. The exercise focused on striking every fifth ball bearing without turning, preparing the duelist for unpredictable attack patterns from all directions, and further developing body control and sensory perception. This cadence required 16290 ball bearings and took roughly three hours to complete.
Fourth Cadence
The fourth cadence differed from the previous ones, utilizing 360 candles spaced at one-degree intervals. Instead of ball bearings, the candles themselves became the targets. The goal was to strike each candle in a sequence dictated by a complex mathematical formula. This cadence aimed to cultivate composure and quick thinking under pressure, rather than physical skills. Completion of this exercise took approximately three hours.
Fifth Cadence
The final cadence served as a self-assessment rather than a training exercise. The duelist would use the Force to telekinetically control their lightsaber, executing intricate sequences to test their physical, mental, sensory control, and precision. This final assessment took about three hours to complete.