How is your typing?

[Peachy_Keen]

Since this is a piano forum, I'd expect that with all the uhh, finger dexterity, or whatever you want to call it, there'd be some pretty good typists here. Do you have to look at the keyboard while you type? Do you use proper form? How many fingers do you use? Are you a fast typist, slow typist, do you make many mistakes?

I just kind of type without thinking about it, if I look at the keyboard while I type I start making mistakes. Of well, kind of the opposite of what people normally do but it works.

[Motrax]

I rarely look at the keyboard, and I rarely make mistakes when I type. Though I'm relatively proficient with the backspace key.   I've found that if you make an effort to use proper punctuation and capitilization and spelling, your typing will improve in general. I type like this whether I'm writing an important email, posting on a forum, or chatting with my friend on instant messenger.

[liszmaninopin]

No, I don't look at the keyboard when I type.  As for using proper form, it depends.  I use the proper fingers for each key and such, but my posture isn't always the best (we have a big soft computer chair-it's very tempting to lean back in it).  I'm reasonably fast-when I've had typing tests I would usually get between 60-70 words per minute.  Of course I make mistakes now and then, but not very often.

[Tash]

well i can't say i type with my fingers on the right keys due to the fact that when we did the whole typing course in yr7 my and my friend cheated hehe. i look at my hands when i'm typing though not really taking in what my hands are typing actually no i do a mish of looking at the keyboard and the screen. and generally my right hand does most of the work with my left hand specialising in use of the space bar! i'm quite good at typing completely wrong words too as those who come on AIM every week should know! but generally my typing is fast which is probably why i do make mistakes sometimes. however right now as i'm typing this i'm aware of what i'm typing and am thus not making that many mistakes at all. hmm maybe i should try doing the whol punctuation and use of captials and it might improve...hmmm....

[classicarts]

I'm glad I took some typing classes when I was in High School.  I think that help me alot in alot of ways.  At this present time and moment, I can say am probably somewhere between intermediate and advance beginner.   

[mound]

I never took typing classes. I type as if I do though. Last I 'tested' it was approx. 135 words per minute. But I sit and type all day (software engineering)

[sonatainfsharp]

I'm glad I took some typing classes when I was in High School.  I think that help me alot in alot of ways.

But you didn't take English.

ALOT is TWO WORDS like this: a lot 

Sorry, I just HAD to do it. I don't know why.

That being said, I usually tpye incorrext form but sometimes i dont backspace cause i am ina hurry to getback to teh paino and pracitec!!!!!   

I just acted 12 years old. And I don't miss it--not at all!

[quantum]

I'm sure glad I took typing class in high school.  Ever since they used to make us write out by hand the many drafts of all those short stories in elementary school I have had a strong dislike about physical writing, but don't mind a bit typing out several pages of text.  From high school and on to university most of my homework was done on the computer, with the additional advantage of having multiple backup copies. 

In my last year of university I was quite happy that I had adapted to doing close to 95% of my work on the computer.  I probably did more physical wrting in those last exams than the rest of the year combined. 

I knew early on that I preferred typing as opposed to writing by hand, so I was quite strict on myself for learning proper typing technique.  So, yes I do use the correct fingers on the keys. 

[yamagal]

Yes, very fast, don't know my rate.  I took typing in high school but only got really fast when I became a legal secretary.  Have maintained my speed since then (I type a lot). 

Interestingly, now that I have taken up piano again after a 24-year hiatus (long story, won't repeat it here), I notice that sightreading is much easier for me than it was when I was young.  Then, I despised sightreading and always hurried to memorize pieces so I wouldn't have to read the music.  Now, I can sightread a piece HT.  I had attributed this to the increased patience of maturity (relatively speaking) but this thread has made me realize it's probably all that practice gotten by touch typing.  I think typing has helped me maintain my finger speed and dexterity, as well as improved my ability (or willingess) to sightread new pieces HS and HT without looking at my hands.

The downside is that now that I'm older, memorizing seems to have become a lot harder.

[zheer]

I type with one finger.