Week 3: Top row: middle and index fingers

This week you move up to the top row, the line of keys just above the home row. The new keys are reached only by your middle and index fingers, and the other fingers stay on the home row. That makes it easier to feel exactly what the moving finger does. Each reach should end with that finger back on its home key.

What you will learn

Four new keys and their fingers:

• ğ: left middle
• n: right middle
• ı: left index
• r: right index

Be careful with the dotless ı and the dotted i. They are different keys. ı is on the left index finger, while i is on the left ring finger. Pay attention to the finger each time you type a letter so the two do not get mixed up.

Technique tips

• While one finger reaches up, keep the other fingers still on the home row. Only the reaching finger should move.
• Use short reaches. Move the finger a small distance and bring it straight back.
• Press ğ with the left middle finger and n with the right middle finger. The middle fingers are close to the home row, so their reaches stay short.
• Move your finger, not your wrist. A still wrist keeps your hands balanced over the keys.
• Look at the screen instead of the top row. Let your finger find the key by feel.

Lessons

1. Lesson 1 (10-15 minutes): Learn the new keys. Watch the keyboard demo, follow the reaching fingers, and type ğ, n, ı and r once each.
2. Lesson 2 (10-15 minutes): Practice. Type short Turkish words that combine the top row with the home row.
3. Lesson 3 (10-15 minutes): Review and take the 2-minute test. Check your mistakes and repeat the keys you missed in a separate round.

This week’s goal

Your targets are 12 WPM and 91% accuracy. Finishing the lessons earns 1 star. Reaching the accuracy target earns 2 stars, and reaching the speed target in the closing test earns 3 stars. Do not rush while the top row is still new. Hit each key with the right finger, and speed will follow.