The bottom row is the row most self-taught typists never learn properly. Reaching down is less natural than reaching up, and the keys are covered by the hand when you look, so people watch them instead of trusting their fingers.
Which finger, which key
- Left hand:
Z little, X ring, C middle, V and B index. - Right hand:
N and M index, , middle, . ring.
The motion is a curl, not a stretch: the finger bends down and slightly in towards the palm, then lifts back to its home key.
Why it is hard
B and N sit far from the index fingers, and Z and X are pressed by the two weakest fingers on the left hand. On top of that, the bottom row contains no vowels, so every word in this lesson mixes the bottom row with the other two. That is exactly what real typing demands.
What to focus on
- Z and X. They sit side by side and are easy to swap. The accuracy step uses
zebra, bronze and annex to make the difference obvious. - Commas and full stops. Both are bottom row keys. The mix step uses full sentences so you practise them where they really occur.
- Long words.
Examination, combination and vocabulary each need several bottom row reaches in a row. Type them in syllables.
Practice notes
If your bottom row errors are high, check your wrists. A wrist resting on the desk pulls the fingers back and makes every downward reach longer. Float the hands slightly and the curl becomes much easier.