Enhancing your touch typing skills involves mastering each row of the keyboard. While the home row is the foundation, the top row presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for improvement. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through a step-by-step exercise to help you become comfortable and efficient with the top row of keys.
What is the Top Row?
The top row refers to the row of keys directly above the home row on a QWERTY keyboard. These keys are:
- Left hand: Q, W, E, R, T
- Right hand: Y, U, I, O, P
Learning this row greatly helps in improving typing speed, precision, and fluency. The reason is that a lot of common words in the English language, as well as commands are typed using these keys.
Why Focus on the Top Row?
Why focusing on the top row is important.
- Common Letters: As mentioned earlier along with several letters, there is a list of frequently used letters and words which consist of the top row. So, it is important to venture into this row for proficient typing.
- Keyboard Fluency: It is often said that to be a skilled typist, one should be familiar with all the rows. The same goes here. The top row is usually one of the last rows used after the home row.
- Ergonomics: Correct methods and techniques while typing prevents any overly excessive movement of fingers during usage which decreases the chances of repetitive strain injuries.
Getting Started with the Top Row
Proper Finger Placement
Begin by ensuring your fingers are correctly positioned:
- Home Row Reminder: Start with your fingers on the home row keys (A, S, D, F for the left hand and J, K, L, ; for the right hand).
- Top Row Positioning: From the home row:
- Left hand shifts upwards for Q (pinky), W (ring), E (middle), R (index), and T (index).
- Right hand shifts upwards for Y (index), U (index), I (middle), O (ring), and P (pinky).
How to Type Without Looking at the Keyboard
For you to develop touch typing practice your way through the top row letters on the keyboard without looking at it:
- Practicing School: You can use keyboard covers or stickers that cover the letter clues on the keys. This approach will force people to talk rather than see.
- Online Typing Practice: There are many software programs which have lessons and exercises that concentrate on the upper row of the keyboard.
Step-by-Step Top Row Exercises
1. Single-Hand Drills
Initially, practice with one hand at a time to build finger strength and familiarity:
- Left Hand:
- Start with sequences like “qqq qqq www www eee eee rrr rrr ttt ttt”.
- Right Hand:
- Practice sequences such as “yyy yyy uuu uuu iii iii ooo ooo ppp ppp”.
2. Alternating Hands
Once you’re comfortable with single-hand drills, practice alternating between both hands:
- Basic Sequences:
- Try sequences like “quququ qwewwe qwerrt yuiyui yupuyi ypoi upoiu iopoi”.
3. Word Drills
Now integrate the top row keys into word drills:
- Left Hand Focused Words:
- Practice words like “qwerty”, “we”, “tree”, “rate”.
- Right Hand Focused Words:
- Focus on words such as “you”, “tip”, “poi”, “yup”.
4. Sentence Drills
For more comprehensive practice, type sentences incorporating top row keys:
- Simple Sentences:
- “We typed a quick brown fox.”
- “Typing practice makes you better.”
- “Quiz the fox quickly to find out.”
Additional Tips
Practice, Practice, Practice: Consistent daily practice will ensure good muscle memory is developed. Even short sessions are helpful.
Proper Technique: After each key press, fingers should always return back to the home row position.
Keep Track of Your Accuracy: Focus primarily on accuracy when typing. Speed comes with confidence.
The Final Word
Of all the skills necessary to be a competent touch typist, learning the top row of the keyboard is paramount. Applying these exercises and suggestions will improve typing speed and accuracy, and make typing more comfortable and enjoyable.
LiveTypingTest.com was created to help you and everyone else willing to learn these skills. So take the challenge at your own pace, and as your skills improve, you’ll master’s the top row of skills you have never imagined!
Till next time, you have more typing to do!