TypingThe home row: adding G and H
The middle row has two more letters between your hands, G and H. Neither has a finger resting on it. They are typed by the index fingers, each reaching one key sideways.
The reach
little finger ring middle index (left hand: keys on the left half; right hand: the right half; thumbs: space bar)
Gis typed by the left index finger. It moves one key to the right fromF, taps, and returns toF.His typed by the right index finger. It moves one key to the left fromJ, taps, and returns toJ.
Only the index finger moves. The other three fingers of that hand stay on their home keys, which is what lets the index finger find its way back. If the whole hand slides sideways, you will lose your place on the next letter.
The apostrophe key
On the right, next to ;, is the key for the apostrophe '. The right little finger reaches one key to the right for it, the same way the index finger reaches for H. You need it in words such as dad's.
Drill
fgf fgf jhj jhj fg jh gf hj
gag hag had has gas gash hash
half hall glad flag flash shall
a glad lad; a flash; a half glass
dad has a flag; a lass had a glass
all shall fall; a lad's hash; ask a gal
gala saga salad flask shah alfalfa
Why whole words now
In lesson 1 you typed single letters. From here on, practise words. A word is typed as one movement, the way a signature is written as one movement and not letter by letter. The fingers learn groups such as sh, al and as, and these groups come up again and again in real text.
Three habits to keep while you type the drill:
- Return home. After
G, the finger goes back toF. AfterH, back toJ. Always. - Even rhythm. Try to keep the same gap between every key, like a slow clock. An even slow rhythm is better than fast bursts with stops.
- Do not look. If you press a wrong key, do not look down to find out why. Feel for the bumps on
FandJ, and try the word again.
How much to practise
Ten to fifteen minutes is enough for one sitting. Short practice every day works much better than an hour once a week, because the fingers forget quickly at this stage. When the last three drill lines come out clean, go on to the top row.
This is an independent practice site. It is not connected with any examination body, keyboard maker or software company. A typing speed measured here is for your own practice. It is not a certificate, and an examination may measure speed in its own way.