Chording Keyboards

Chording keyboards (also referred to as chord keyboards or chorded keyboards) have far fewer keys than a standard keyboard. In fact, there are chord keyboards with only one key per finger, and some can even be used by a single hand. Nonetheless, once mastered, a keyboardist can effectively use a chorded keyboard as well as and for the same purpose of a standard keyboard. How?

Think of the chords created on a piano – more than one finger is required to create the desired chord on the piano. The same is true of letters (and other key functions) created on a chord keyboard – most require more than one key to be pushed at a time to create them.

If this seems odd to you, consider the fact that you already use this chording method – no, not just on the piano, but on the computer. To create a capital letter in a text, you press the “shift” key and the letter at the same time. Typing on a chorded keyboard simply uses this method as the norm, rather than the exception.

Are chording keyboards right for you? Consider some of the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

Finger travel – Your fingers do not need to travel very far to use a chording keyboard since there are fewer keys. This can greatly reduce the strain and muscle fatigue that can result from extending the fingers on a standard keyboard.
Size – Chord keyboards are small; they are therefore very portable and can be used wherever you have even just a small amount of space.
Placement – Again, in part because they are small, it is possible to place and use a chorded keyboard where you choose. In doing so, you can avoid an unnatural keying posture, thereby reducing the risk of typing injuries and increasing comfort.

Disadvantages:

Lengthy training – The method of using a chorded keyboard is very different than that of using a standard keyboard. It is a method that must be learned and perfected, and this can take a long time.
Typing speed – While some chorded keyboard users say that typing speed is increased (the fingers do not have to travel far, thereby lessening the time it takes to hit the keys), others claim that it is decreased (standard keyboards allow you to start typing the next letter while the previous letter is still being depressed, and an entirely new method of typing must be learned and perfected).
Repetitive finger movements – While a great deal of Repetitive Strain Injuries can be prevented and helped by using a chording keyboard, some could potentially be increased. If you use a chord keyboard with only one hand, the fingers of that hand are going to be doing more than double their normal typing load. Consider, also, that instead of using just one finger to type a letter, multiple fingers must be used – you are going to be using your fingers much more than you would to use a standard keyboard.