The keys on a typewriter or computer keyboard are arranged in a strange system known as QWERTY (the first six letters on the top left row of the alphabet keys). Christopher Sholes, one of the first typewriter patent holders, came up with this arrangement as a solution to stuck keys. Early typists, using keyboards that were set up with the most-commonly used letters placed near each other, were slowed down by constant key jams. Mr. Sholes solved the problem by placing the most-commonly used letters farther apart. Even though computer users wouldn't experience this problem, the QWERTY keyboard arrangement has persisted. But you can also find a keyboard arrangement known as DVORAK, which is reportedly easier to learn, and the European keyboard, known as AZERTY, is arranged differently to allow for the inclusion of accent marks and other language-specific characters.
To begin typing, the typist places his fingers on the "home row" of keys, which is the middle of the three alphabet rows. The left index finger rests on the F and the right index finger rests on the J. Most modern keyboards have slightly deeper indentations on the home-row keys and a raised bump or other mark on the F and the J keys to help you find the correct position.
Accomplished typists use the "touch" system, which means memorizing the position of the keys in order to type without having to look at them.
For clarity, capital letters are shown, but you'll begin your practice using lower-case letters.
Using the QWERTY keyboard, place your fingers on the home row, ASDF for the left hand, with the index finger on F, and JKL: for the right hand, with the index finger on J. Now move your left "pinky" finger up one row, to the Q, and down one row, to the Z. Move your left ring finger up one row, to the W and down one tow, to the X. Move your left middle finger up one row, to the E and down one row, to the C. Move your left index finger up one row, to the R and the T, and down one row, to the V and the B. Notice that your index finger is used for two keys on the upper and lower rows. Starting with your right "pinky" finger, move your finger up one row, to the P and down one row, to the /. Move your right ring finger up one row, to the O, and down one row, to the . Move your right middle finger up one row, to the I, and down one row, to the , . Move your right index finger up one row, to the U and the Y, and down one row, to the M and the N. Again, notice that your index finger is used for two keys on the upper and lower rows.
To type numbers, move your left "pinky" finger up two rows, to the 1. Move your left ring finger up two rows, to the 2. Move your left middle finger up two rows, to the 3. Move your left index finger up two rows, to the 4 and 5. Move your right index finger up two rows, to the 6 and 7. Move your right middle finger up two rows, to the 8. Move your right ring finger up two rows, to the 9. Move your right "pinky" finger up two rows, to the 0.
Notice that some keys have special characters rather than letters. Instead of producing lower-case and upper-case letters, each of these keys produces one special character, or symbol without the shift key being depressed, and another special character, or symbol, when the shift key is depressed. The shift key is also used to produce capital letters rather than lower-case letters, and the symbols on top of the number keys.
Place your fingers on the home row, making sure your left index finger is on F and your right index finger is on J. Type ASDF with your left hand, then JKL: with your right hand. Repeat this exercise until you're comfortable with moving your fingers and begin to associate the letter of the key with the finger that's pressing it.
Practice the upper row. Type QWERT and YUIOP. Repeat this exercise, remembering to use your left index finger for the R and T and your right index finger for the Y and U. When you're comfortable with moving your fingers on these keys, practice the lower row. Type ZXCVB and NM,./.
Practice the number row. Type 1234567890. Remember to use your left index finger for two number, 4 and 5, and your right index finger for two numbers, 6 and 7.
When you're comfortable typing lower-case letters and the numbers, begin practicing typing while using the shift key. There are two shift keys, one on each side of the keyboard, so that you can press shift with the "pinky" finger of one hand while typing a letter or letters with your other hand. Always use the shift key with the hand that isn't typing. Practice using the shift key to type capital letters and special symbols. Start with the home row, then move to the upper and lower rows of letters, then the symbols on the number keys.