Your typing sucks: A pianist's approach to the (computer) keyboard

YOUR TYPING SUCKS A pianist’s approach to the (computer) keyboard
LENA MORITA

@mirka Professional Software Engineer Amateur Pianist Wannabe Polyglot LENA MORITA

@mirka I SUCK AT THE SYMBOLS ROW

@mirka WHAT IF I COULD TYPE JUST A LITTLE BIT
BETTER

DIAGNOSE

@mirka PROBLEMS • Location of % ^ & keys not
memorized • Unclear which hand to use for 6 key • Pinky is unstable when hitting - and = keys

@mirka % ^ & KEYS NOT MEMORIZED Take some time
to memorize properly (e.g. use mnemonics) 5% 16^n 7&i HEXADECIMAL OFF HOLDINGS

@mirka WHICH HAND FOR 6 KEY? Usually taught as right
hand, but no real consensus

Split keyboards can vary

Technically, right hand will be a bit further

@mirka 🎹 CONSISTENT FINGERING Ideal f ingering may change depending
on proceeding/following keys But no common enough sequences that the 6/^ key would appear in For now, choose a hand and stick with it

@mirka - AND = KEYS UNSTABLE • Far from home
position • Awkward angle • “Weak” f inger

@mirka BEFORE - AND = KEYS UNSTABLE • Similar wrist
angle for both keys • Pushing pinky forward for - • Stretching pinky out for =

Mastering Piano Technique Seymour Fink

@mirka 🎹 USE LARGER MUSCLES Harder to make accurate movements
with small “ f inger” muscles Focus more on: • Arm rotation • Shoulder movements

@mirka AFTER - AND = KEYS UNSTABLE Adjust elbow position
and forearm rotation Arm does the work, not pinky (Also good for RSI prevention!)

FIX AND CHECK

@mirka IT WORKED!

@mirka PROBLEMS (ROUND 2) • Types $ instead of %
• Types * instead of # But not vice versa!

@mirka $ INSTEAD OF % I don’t mistype 4 and
5 Why only the symbols above it?

@mirka $ INSTEAD OF % I was using LEFT SHIFT
with every key

@mirka $ INSTEAD OF % Very uncomfortable, but $ was
slightly easier to reach Only di ff erentiated by pointer f inger angle Pinky has no grip

@mirka 🎹 USE FINGER PAD, NOT NAIL Cannot grip key
with f ingernail Angle your hand so f leshy f inger pad can grip the key without slipping Nails should be clipped

@mirka THERE’S A REASON FOR USING OPPOSITE-HAND SHIFT

@mirka * INSTEAD OF # Both middle f inger keys,
am I confusing them? Why do I want to hit * , but not the other way around?

@mirka * INSTEAD OF # Same-hand SHIFT again! Pinky has
no grip, f inger stretch uncomfortable Opposite-hand SHIFT solves issue immediately

FINAL CHECK

@mirka FINAL CHECK Not perfect, but drastic improvement for a
30-min investment

@mirka EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT • Finger length, f ingertip shapes
can vary • Observe what you are doing and notice uncomfortable/unstable movements • Adjust your form (angles, rotation) until it is comfortable/stable

HOW ABOUT NORMAL KEYS?

@mirka 🎹 CORRECT MISTAKES ASAP Bad habits are reinforced with
every repetition Have mindfulness to notice repetitive mistakes

@mirka 🎹 DON’T “WORK UP TO SPEED” Movements required to
play quickly are often drastically di ff erent from what is su ff icient to play slowly First f igure out a movement that works for the speed you want

@mirka CAUSES OF ERROR Bad form Bad timing Bad sequence

@mirka ADVANCED: SLIDES

@mirka ADVANCED: BREAK QWERTY number — Use the middle f
inger for the “u” sequence — Use the ring f inger for the f inal “e” select — Use the thumb for the “c”

@mirka TAKEAWAYS 1. Have the awareness to notice bad habits
early 2. Diagnose the problem 3. Find a form that is comfortable, accurate, and fast

THANK YOU! @mirka Lena Morita jaguchi.com

Your typing sucks: A pianist's approach to the ...

Your typing sucks: A pianist's approach to the (computer) keyboard

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