Keyboard - lesson 3
The first row of the keyboard, the Z-X-C-V-B row cannot claim the importance in the pursuit of touch typing of the home row. Nor can it contest the international fame or high profile of the hard working QWERTY row. But there is one way in which it can surpass them both. Once you have mastered the first row you will have learned all the alpha keys on the keyboard, the most popular punctuation keys, and have completed three lessons of our five lesson course. Bravo!
In keeping with the intensive nature of our course, and to keep your interest at a fever pitch, we shall introduce capitals in this lesson. Your keyboard should have two shift keys, one to the left, one to the right. The proficient typist will use the little finger of their inactive hand to work one of the shift keys when capitals are needed.
So, if you are to type a capital R, you will strike the R key with the index finger of your left hand whilst depressing the shift keywith the little finger of your right hand. A team game for the opposing forces of left and right.
- The left index finger will control theV and B keys, and the right index finger will control the N and Mkeys.
- The left middle finger will control theC key, and the right middle finger will control the , key.
- The left ring finger will control theX key, and the right ring finger will control the . key.
- The left little finger will control theZ key, and the right little finger will control the / key.
- The left shift key is controlled by theleft little finger and the right shift key is controlled by the right little finger
| LEFT HAND | RIGHT HAND | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LF | RF | MF | IF | IF | IF | IF | MF | RF | LF |
| Q | W | E | R | T | Y | U | I | O | P |
| A | S | D | F | G | H | J | K | L | ; |
| Z | X | C | V | B | N | M | , | . | / |
Some people find the downward stretching for the new finger positions awkward at first but it soon passes.
Before you begin typing make sure you are sitting up straight, your feet flat on the floor. Keep your elbows close to your body, your wrists straight and your forearms level, and remember to take regular breaks.
Once again, you may find it helpful to quietly say the name of the key as you strike it. Don't let your mistakes cause you to lose heart, touch-typing is a skill that can be learned by practice.
Repeat each exercise at least three times.