Breaking Through Touch Typing Plateaus: How to Maximize Typing Speed

Many individuals wonder if their slow typing speed indicates a disability or if it is simply a matter of practice. Starting with a typing speed around 20 words per minute (wpm) and achieving a rate of 45-50 wpm in just two months might be impressive, but some may feel that they have hit a ceiling, questioning whether it is worth continuing to practice. In this article, we explore these concerns and offer a novel approach to typing that could help you break through any plateaus and achieve your typing goals.

Understanding Touch Typing Progress

Typing at 45-50 wpm within a short period is definitely a significant improvement. However, it is not uncommon for many professionals to take several years to achieve similar progress. Sean Wrona, one of the world's fastest typists, took over five years to increase his typing speed by approximately 30 wpm. This highlights that patience and persistence are key factors in improving typing skills.

Identifying the Limit of Your Skills

No, you do not necessarily have a disability if you are typing at 45-50 wpm. You might have reached the limit of your current skills and touch typing technique. Recent neuroscience research supports this notion. The research suggests that touch typing, like other skills, has a ceiling that is influenced by the technique used. The traditional method of assigning specific fingers to specific keys can, in some cases, limit typing speed.

Adopting a Piano Technique for Typing

To break through these plateaus, consider adopting a technique inspired by piano playing. Just as a pianist adapts their finger position and movements for different musical scales, you can explore a similar flexibility in your typing.

How Piano Technique Applies to Typing

In piano playing, one spends hours practicing scales—playing a sequence of 8 notes in series (do re me fa so la ti do), each requiring a different finger. This flexibility is essential for smooth transitions between notes. Similarly, touch typing games and drills can be less restrictive, allowing you to use different fingers for the same keys based on the context and structure of the text you are typing.

Just as a pianist might play hundreds of different scales with the same set of keys but different finger positions, you can adopt a more fluid approach to typing. For instance, if you typically use your index finger for the 'A' key, switch to using your middle finger under certain circumstances. This adaptability can lead to faster typing and greater efficiency.

Why Piano Technique Accelerates Typing Speed

Recent research confirms that typing speed is almost entirely instinctive and subconscious. This means that the brain can adapt and use different fingers more naturally, eliminating the need for rigid finger assignments. By embracing a more flexible approach, you can:

Reduce strain and potential injury by not adhering too strictly to one finger for each key. Increase speed by using the most comfortable and efficient finger for each key press. Develop a more fluid and natural typing style that can adapt to the structure of the text being typed.

Imagine typing a complex text, where you need to use different fingers for different keys based on the context of the words being typed. This approach is akin to playing a musical piece, where you use different fingering for different notes to achieve optimal fluency. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for typing long, complex sentences or passages.

Conclusion

Breaking through touch typing plateaus is not about giving up or having a disability. It is about exploring new techniques that can maximize your typing speed. By adopting a piano-inspired typing technique, you can free your mind and fingers from the limitations of traditional touch typing. With practice and persistence, you can achieve faster and more fluid typing, which can greatly enhance your productivity in both professional and personal settings.

Touch Typing: A traditional method of typing where each finger is assigned to a specific key. Typing Speed: The number of words typed per minute. Piano Technique: Adapting finger positions and movements for different musical scales, applied to typing.