Week 10: Numbers: left hand

The number keys sit on their own row above the letters. This week you learn the five numbers that the left hand reaches: 1 through 5. Each number also types a symbol when Shift is held down. Those symbols, such as ! and #, appear often in code and everyday writing, so they are worth practicing carefully.

What you will learn

This week introduces five new number keys. The Shift symbols are shown in brackets:

• 1 (Shift gives !): left pinky
• 2 (Shift gives @): left ring finger
• 3 (Shift gives #): left middle finger
• 4 (Shift gives $): left index finger
• 5 (Shift gives %): left index finger

Your left pinky reaches up from a to 1. Your ring, middle and index fingers reach up one row in turn. The left index finger covers both 4 and 5, so move it sideways between those two keys without lifting the hand.

Technique tips

• Reach up from the knuckles of each finger. Moving the wrist shifts the whole hand and causes wrong keys.
• Between 4 and 5, slide the left index finger slightly sideways. The rest of the hand should stay in place.
• For the Shift symbols, press Shift with your right pinky, since your left pinky is busy with the number. Keep the release clean.
• After each number, return the finger to its home key. The home row is where every reach starts and ends.

Lessons

1. Lesson 1, learn (10–15 minutes): Watch the keyboard demo for the number keys 1 to 5 and their Shift symbols. Press each one with the correct finger.
2. Lesson 2, practice (10–15 minutes): Type short number sequences, such as dates and codes, and include a few Shift symbols.
3. Lesson 3, review (10–15 minutes): Repeat the numbers you mix up most often, then finish with the 2-minute test.

This week’s goal

Reach 26 WPM and 93% accuracy. Finishing the lessons earns 1 star. Reaching 93% accuracy earns 2 stars. Reaching 26 WPM as well earns 3 stars. Numbers and symbols need more care than letters, so slow down when a sequence is hard. Accuracy builds the confidence that speed needs.