Week 11: Numbers: right hand

Last week your left hand covered the numbers 1 to 5. This week the right hand takes over with 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0. Your right index finger covers both 6 and 7, and the other right-hand fingers reach up one row in turn. With Shift held, these keys type the symbols ^, &, *, ( and ), which appear often in code and in formulas.

What you will learn

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

• 6 (Shift gives ^): right index finger
• 7 (Shift gives &): right index finger
• 8 (Shift gives *): right middle finger
• 9 (Shift gives (): right ring finger
• 0 (Shift gives )): right pinky

Your right index finger reaches up from j to 6, then slides slightly to the left for 7. The right middle, ring and pinky fingers reach up one row in turn. The 0 key is the furthest reach, so keep the rest of the hand still as your pinky stretches up to it.

Technique tips

• Move the right index finger only a short distance between 6 and 7. Large movements slow you down.
• Stretch the right pinky to 0 from the knuckle, not from the wrist or elbow.
• Press Shift with the left pinky when you type a symbol on the right side of the number row. Keep the release clean so the next key comes out correctly.
• Return each finger to its home key after the number. The home row is the anchor for the whole hand.

Lessons

1. Lesson 1, learn (10–15 minutes): Watch the keyboard demo for 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0, including the Shift symbols. Press each one with the correct finger.
2. Lesson 2, practice (10–15 minutes): Type dates, times and short number sequences. Include a few Shift symbols in each sequence.
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 27 WPM and 94% accuracy. Finishing the lessons earns 1 star. Reaching 94% accuracy earns 2 stars. Reaching 27 WPM as well earns 3 stars. A wrong number is easy to miss, so check each sequence before you move on. Accuracy first, speed second.