Touch Typing: Home Row Essentials (Lesson 1)

Learn how to touch type with this beginner lesson covering the home row. Learn how to make each keystroke, how to handle common mistakes and the best ways to practice. Discover how to progress further to learn all of the keys and increase your typing speed and accuracy.
#typing #touchtyping #typefaster
📋 Table of Contents
Intro: 0:00
What is the home row?: 00:44
Home row finger positions: 01:29
Why return to the home row?: 01:58
Proper typing posture: 03:25
Making home row keystrokes: 04:16
Practicing keys in the home row: 05:07
How and when advance further: 06:42
How long will it take?: 06:53
Additional typing instruction: 07:30
🔗 Links Mentioned:
Lesson 2:
• Touch Typing: Index Fi...
Typing Tutorials Playlist:
• Type Faster on the Key...
Type Faster Than Ever Tutorial:
• Type Faster on the Key...
Keyboard finger chart and additional typing lessons:
ansonalex.com/tutorials/free-...
Typing Course on LinkedIn Learning:
/ learning-typing
💻 More Tips and Tutorials
AnsonAlex.com
📚 LinkedIn Learning Courses
/ anson-alexander
🔎 Request a Tutorial
forms.gle/sciVnK4tHno7sCcGA
☎️ Get in Contact with Me
/ ansonalexander
🎥 Behind the Scenes
/ ansonalex.c0m

[@allannortje6440]

Hey, with your tutorial, I already know how to touch type but now I have confidence with the given terminology ! Thank you Sir !

[@infinitydumb]

The cinematics at the begging are really aesthetically pleasing, great job!

[@AnsonAlexander]

Thanks Infinity, my lightning made the rest a bit more grainy than I'd like but feel good about the delivery.

[@tahirmalik478]

​@@AnsonAlexanderfor how many days should I practice home row as I have started touch typing.

[@basilnaidoo2917]

Thank you Anson, thought it was too late to start learning but after the first lesson, found it kinda fun :)

[@temmyjane]

Love this. You're incredible Anson. Your lessons is going to make me a touch typist guru😊 I'm gonna try to practice blank space using alphabets every day. My hand movements have been wrong 😊

[@AnsonAlexander]

Ahhh, great idea, yes a lot of typing tutorials just show the finger chart without the actual keystrokes which I think is very important.

[@temmyjane]

@@AnsonAlexander Absolutely. I already printed the chart.May you live long

[@alexandradeoliveira3892]

looking forward for the next lesson

[@frankleal1557]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@AnsonAlexander]

You are welcome!

[@duncangatawa9213]

Thanks for the great work you are doing.

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're welcome, glad you're enjoying it!

[@iammohaymenul]

This is very good initiative. I hope I will do much better over the time.

[@rudycursley9538]

Thank You very much, Sir, Your advice is beneficial, so Stay blessed.

[@AnsonAlexander]

You are most welcome, thank you!

[@felipemorla8972]

Very helpful video!

[@robgalbraith384]

great starting lesson. Thank you Sir

[@shantelbangtan1765]

I currently type at 67 wpm with 99% accuracy. I use the home row method, I am not a two-finger typist.

[@jamesnjeri399]

Thank you sir!🙏🙏

[@Star-vg7ix]

I love this, watching a guy teaching typing!!

[@ThuinailungPamei]

Thank you very much it helped me a lot 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@baikaranabyo]

Thanks Alex.

[@sophiabrown3314]

I love this

[@wagfinpis]

I like how he got into some specific finer points. I actually was doing and thinking about some of this, but now I have more confidence to continue forward. I'm struggling not to give up. I've been working on my touch-typing skills for about 4 weeks now and I average around 15wpm. No, not 150wpm, 15wpm.

[@raytharude7670]

its cool mine is 9

[@LordBrambor-uh9ny]

Thank you, very useful lesson

[@AnsonAlexander]

You are welcome!

[@NasratArab-nj9mc]

Well done my dear teacher i appreciate you

[@AnsonAlexander]

Thanks, you're welcome! Best of luck with speedy typing!

[@elgamriassignment6445]

TANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[@AnsonAlexander]

You’re very welcome!

[@claudeanurudha7907]

Thank you.

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're welcome!

[@Ecol940]

So helpful

[@AnsonAlexander]

Awesome, glad to hear!

[@yonasbig]

THANK YOU

[@ritamuwanguzi]

Thanks so much

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're welcome!

[@DeeJaySunrise256]

You are a great friend

[@AnsonAlexander]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LuluTube-xx9fh]

Woww its Amazing Tutorial Tnxss Bro❤❤

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@jenettegumatay8520]

thank you ❤

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're welcome 😊

[@harveysp5899]

thank you

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're welcome!

[@sachinisathsarani7834]

Thanks lot sir❤

[@AnsonAlexander]

You're very welcome!

[@brandondunstan4952]

Thanks

[@davetuikong]

I type at 25 WPM at 97% accuracy.

[@wqrw1290]

I type 52 WPM at 95%

[@travelwonders624]

Nice i type at around 20-25 wpm at 80-85% accuracy💀🥲

[@WembabaziSandrah-dy5ip]

😮😮😮​@@wqrw1290

[@new_Naveen_]

Nice video Sir!

[@AnsonAlexander]

Thanks!

[@VolumetricTerrain-hz7ci]

Thanks! I like your video! But can you make a video to see how long it takes, to typing in this way: typinglikethismakesitgofaster, without using space?

[@joytagle5833]

This is soo helpful! May I use your touch typing videos for educational and training purposes? I'll make sure to attribute all the credits and encourage to subscribe to your channel.

[@nonentity168]

Sir, what do you think of Typer Shark Deluxe - a classic PopCap game? Are their typing lessons outdated and do I need to go somewhere else?

[@typingforall]

Amazing keyboarding keyboard

[@sunnyrosemama5937]

Thank you for creating such solid and free videos. I have been searching all day for a strong program for my tween-aged son, and your videos seem great! To get him started He will be colouring a blank touch tying finger chart to reference while he does your tutorials. Will the actual colour selections be relevant in later videos, or can he use any colour he wishes as long as they properly group complete each finger-key sets?

[@sunnyrosemama5937]

also, do you happen to have a blank copy of the finger chart? 😁. If not I will just improvise 😊

[@GuillaumeRouleau]

When I learned with typing pal, they used to offer awef jio; hand placement and it seems like it's not taught anymore, any idea why? I'm used that way and I like it.

[@AnsonAlexander]

Hmm, I'm not sure, the tools and games change a lot which is why I wanted to show people how to learn old school before branching out.

[@theescapeist758]

Do you alternate thumbs as you alternate between hands or do you aways use the same thumb?

[@user-fn8de8is4j]

your amazing

[@AnsonAlexander]

thanks!

[@aeoriis]

I have some questions about the technique itself.1st question. How should I write a word 'nun' ? Should my right index finger go directly from 'n' key to 'u' key or should it be back at the home row first ('j' key) ? 2nd question. How should I write a word 'icicle' ? Should my right middle finger go back immediately to home row when I hit 'i' key ? But next I hit 'c' with left index finger and I need to hit 'i' key again with my right middle finger, so meybe it is better when it still stays on 'i' key waiting till I hit 'c' key? 3rd question It is easy just to move 1 finger to hit some of the keys like 'e' key, but some keys are more difficult to hit like 'x'. Does it matter if i move whole left hand to help my left ring finger hit 'x' ? Or Should I try just to move my ring and pinky finger to hit 'x' ?

[@jayjay-gl4fj]

good video

[@AnsonAlexander]

Thanks

[@jobinphilip3418]

Which keyboard are you using?. I liked the keyboard.

[@AnsonAlexander]

It is a Steel Series Apex Pro. Here is the Amazon link: www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Apex-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B07SVJJCP3?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=ansonalex01-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=c3f26c0c8929fe75ad7914bc0d0ee7dd&camp=1789&creative=9325

[@DMSBrian24]

I'm very good at touch typing and type pretty fast (110-120wpm) but I use almost only my index finger on my right hand (thumb for space, pinky for enter and middle and ring only for some symbols), while my left hand is positioned at shift-a-s-d-space by default, a lot of people call this "gamer typing" because that's where this sort of typing often originates from and so it did for me. I'm not sure if there's any actual benefit to learning this if I don't really need more speed or precision and don't suffer from much finger or wrist strain or anything like that?

[@commandercody1287]

I am showing off my typing skills in the comments section!

[@AnsonAlexander]

Haha awesome! Accuracy looks great! Did you look at the keyboard?

[@commandercody1287]

@@AnsonAlexander I can't remember, but probably. I am doing it a lot less though with practice,.

[@davidwinner7479]

@@AnsonAlexander please Sir your WhatsApp number or groups I need to be added

[@jameslos4733]

I have tried improving my speed for about 5 months right now I only get up to 60 -70 at best in type racer I gave up really have worked hard could kindly show me what I'm doing wrong

[@deborahturner8606]

i can't see I can download the typing key board..

[@SuccessMuoghalu-eu3og]

Hey what if I'm using the laptop?

[@stephenmcternan2831]

Would recommend learning on a laptop as opposed to a traditional keyboard?

[@AnsonAlexander]

I suppose it's best to learn on whatever device you're going to be using the most. Personally, I would prefer to practice and learn on some sort of mechanical keyboard (cheap ones are fine) but, if you're going to be using a laptop a lot, learning with that isn't going to hurt.

[@davetuikong]

I'm using the touch typing method and I am a lot faster at typing. However, it used to take me ages to type with this method.

[@aouadicharaf1038]

❤❤❤

[@aidadia6382]

+1 sub😊

[@sauravbanerjee6359]

Hey Anson! The link to the keyboard finger chart is not working. Can you please post the file here?

[@AnsonAlexander]

The link is working for me but an even more direct link is here: ansonalex.com/wp-content/uploads/TouchTypingKeyboardFingerChart.png

[@sauravbanerjee6359]

Thanks@@AnsonAlexander

[@Evilanious]

It's rather confronting to see how difficult I find it to move my fingers independently. My left pinky in particular keeps pulling my entire hand along.

[@AnsonAlexander]

That's totally normal, it will get better with time the more you use it. Give it some good rest in between but then keep practicing that left pinky! Good luck!

[@rakeshkomarolu4527]

How much time per day to practice? Can u tell please

[@AnsonAlexander]

It really depends on how much time you have. I wouldn't push too much over an hour especially if your fingers are getting tired but anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour per day will have you typing much quicker in a just a few weeks.

[@rakeshkomarolu4527]

@@AnsonAlexander tqsm for reply

[@_hydrogelic]

Do you think i can have this skill down in 21 days?

[@Outcastic]

hunt and peck doesn't seem like an accurate term. I only type with 3 fingers but i never look at the keyboard and i never rest my hands anywhere in particular and get around 70 wpm which im pretty sure is the same with a lot of people

[@AnsonAlexander]

Yes, I wouldn't consider you a "hunt and peck" typist but, it is a thing and many are still at that point. It sounds to me like you've developed your own method and 70wpm isn't horrible so it may work for you. Unfortunately, you may have plateaued at that speed with a 6 finger method and to get about 100 it will take some retraining. I hope it's going well!

[@der_pudel]

Teachas about how it's important to return to home row after each stroke. Shows footage where he does not do that. Ok.

[@ortxxxm]

To learn to run, you gotta learn how to walk first. To remember the positions of keys at the home row and return to them efficiently, you gotta establish the muscle memory of your fingers by being there at all times in the beginning. This is a great beginner tip, on which you can rely until you hit higher words by minute count, by which time you don't have to do that in the name of speed. For lesson 1, this is great! Lighten up, man.

[@mscit_08_omprakash40]

Your speed?

[@AnsonAlexander]

I can accurately type around 110 wpm but can burst higher if I'm trying to be competitive.

[@hombrepobre9646]

I have a question, why is the letters on the board are not in order like abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz? by the way, I can type as much as more than 200 words per minutes but the only word I type is like we, us, to, no yes, and I🤪

[@AnsonAlexander]

That is a good question that I have asked myself many times... I actually went on an investigation to find out exactly why the letter layout is the way it is. Here is what I found: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2WbgGuBZ7R4kKs

[@raytharude7670]

funny how i do better just freeform typing but hopefully this will make more faster and accurate typer

[@AnsonAlexander]

Unless you’ve never typed before, your personal method will always be faster when first starting because it’s what you’re used to but there will likely be a plateau that will limit your max speed. Good luck improving!

[@razakmumin8426]

[@AnsonAlexander]

Good home row position but... something off about that left hand...

[@linguine4500]

After 3 years of studying IT perhaps maybe it is time to actually learn how to touch type

[@seandimarco]

Touch typing? When I was in school, they called it typing lol and if you didn’t know home row, you didn’t know how to type!

[@AnsonAlexander]

It's essentially the same thing but there are other forms of typing. The one that we are most familiar with is touch typing.

[@davetuikong]

I am trash at speedy touch typing.

[@NowBubbles]

Meaning

[@user-xi1sh8rw3v]

typing is an obstacle for me .i thnik i'll never overcome my 18wpm it's just frustrating 😢

[@gb1deep]

Never say never. 2hrs with music daily. Started at a lousy 17wpm. Now I’m at 36wpm in 2 weeks

[@wagfinpis]

I started at 6 wpm touch-typing, in my only language (English), now I average around 15wpm. I have dyslexia and I don't see much of any content for dyslexic's. I am struggling to even guess how many wpm is possible to hope for, and I have no idea how long it should take or what the process might be like. A lot of people can naturally type 3 times faster than me and their encouragement to work on accuracy and be patient makes sense; I get it, but I do not believe they have any way of understanding what this process is like for me. It would be great to see more content with people who are struggling to break 20 wpm. Right now my goal is 30 wpm and I have absolutely no idea if that is at all possible. Right now 30 wpm sounds like pure fictional fantasy. If work vigilantly at it I can imagine maybe eventually averaging around 20 wpm... maybe.

[@AbiMP]

​@@gb1deephow many hour you practiced daily?

[@MoahandTareq]

asdfjkl; asdf jkl; a s d f j k l ; A S D F J K L : Thank you!

[@ChanelName69]

pls pin this

[@innovativeideasbyvijay9406]

Bro has an iMac but uses windows keyboard! 💀

[@AnsonAlexander]

It's a keyboard that can be used with any OS and Mac keyboards are not for me. What is your preference?

[@samuelsanchez8212]

Very good lesson but do me a favor please do us all a favor keep the chip in the mind thing out of your comments a i is taking over pretty soon there's going to be a lot of people without jobs because a I took over just a respectful opinion

[@AnsonAlexander]

Humans will still have jobs, they will just be different jobs. In this case, it would be me losing a job but, with all due respect, the context of the comment was very lighthearted.

[@Anarchist007]

How can i take you serious, your keyboards layout is not even right...

[@AnsonAlexander]

Uhh, it’s a standard QWERTY layout - the most used English keyboard layout in the world, ever. Which layout were you looking for?

[@LOLZ-arandomdude]

Bro have you never seen a keyboard before? 💀 bro thought keyboards were in alphabetical order-

[@Robin-Feldman]

Thank You very much, Sir, Your advice is beneficial, so Stay blessed.

[@TimmyCarver]

This is soo helpful! May I use your touch typing videos for educational and training purposes? I'll make sure to attribute all the credits and encourage to subscribe to your channel.

[@AnsonAlexander]

That's great to hear! You definitely can, I would appreciate them being played from a KZbin player either on KZbin or embedded in a website if possible. They should be available through Google Classroom as well. Good luck training!