YOUR TYPING SUCKS
A pianist’s approach to the (computer) keyboard
LENA MORITA
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@mirka
Professional Software Engineer
Amateur Pianist
Wannabe Polyglot
LENA MORITA
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@mirka
I SUCK AT THE
SYMBOLS ROW
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@mirka
WHAT IF I COULD TYPE
JUST A LITTLE BIT BETTER
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DIAGNOSE
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@mirka
PROBLEMS
• Location of % ^ & keys not memorized
• Unclear which hand to use for 6 key
• Pinky is unstable when hitting - and = keys
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@mirka
% ^ & KEYS NOT MEMORIZED
Take some time to memorize properly (e.g. use mnemonics)
5% 16^n 7&i
HEXADECIMAL
OFF HOLDINGS
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@mirka
WHICH HAND FOR 6 KEY?
Usually taught as right hand, but no real consensus
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Split keyboards can vary
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Technically, right hand will be a bit further
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@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
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@mirka
- AND = KEYS UNSTABLE
• Far from home position
• Awkward angle
• “Weak”
f
inger
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@mirka
BEFORE
- AND = KEYS UNSTABLE
• Similar wrist angle for both keys
• Pushing pinky forward for -
• Stretching pinky out for =
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Mastering Piano
Technique
Seymour Fink
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@mirka
🎹 USE LARGER MUSCLES
Harder to make accurate movements with
small “
f
inger” muscles
Focus more on:
• Arm rotation
• Shoulder movements
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@mirka
AFTER
- AND = KEYS UNSTABLE
Adjust elbow position and
forearm rotation
Arm does the work, not pinky
(Also good for RSI prevention!)
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FIX AND CHECK
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@mirka
IT WORKED!
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@mirka
PROBLEMS (ROUND 2)
• Types $ instead of %
• Types * instead of #
But not vice versa!
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@mirka
$ INSTEAD OF %
I don’t mistype 4 and 5
Why only the symbols above it?
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@mirka
$ INSTEAD OF %
I was using LEFT SHIFT with every key
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@mirka
$ INSTEAD OF %
Very uncomfortable,
but $ was slightly easier
to reach
Only di
ff
erentiated by
pointer
f
inger angle
Pinky has no grip
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@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
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@mirka
THERE’S A REASON
FOR USING
OPPOSITE-HAND SHIFT
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@mirka
* INSTEAD OF #
Both middle
f
inger keys, am I confusing them?
Why do I want to hit * , but not the other way around?
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@mirka
* INSTEAD OF #
Same-hand SHIFT again!
Pinky has no grip,
f
inger stretch uncomfortable
Opposite-hand SHIFT
solves issue immediately
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FINAL CHECK
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@mirka
FINAL CHECK
Not perfect, but drastic improvement for a 30-min investment
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@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
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HOW ABOUT NORMAL KEYS?
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@mirka
🎹 CORRECT MISTAKES ASAP
Bad habits are reinforced with every repetition
Have mindfulness to notice repetitive mistakes
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@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
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@mirka
CAUSES OF ERROR
Bad form
Bad timing
Bad sequence
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@mirka
ADVANCED: SLIDES
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@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”
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@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