Feature Idea: Finger Coordination / Guitar Training Mode

[loogaru]

Hi! I’d like to suggest a possible feature idea for MonkeyType.

I’m a beginner guitar player and I often try to train my fretting hand while sitting in the office. For guitar playing, especially on the fretboard, finger stretch, independence, and coordination are very important.

It occurred to me that a computer keyboard could be used as a simple training tool for this, since it already provides many independently detectable buttons that can be pressed and held simultaneously.

Concept

A new optional “Finger Coordination Mode” where the goal is not typing text, but precise control of finger positions and movements on the keyboard.

Instead of typing words, the user receives instructions such as:

• move a finger from one key to another
• while holding certain keys pressed
• avoid pressing any additional keys
• perform multiple movements simultaneously

The system checks whether:

• required keys remain held
• required keys are pressed
• unnecessary keys are pressed (penalty)

The focus would be accuracy of finger control, not typing speed.

Example Task

Example instruction:

Hold 1a 2f 3h 4k
Move 1z
Move 4u 2r

Meaning:
If training left hand: User presses and holds "a" with pinky, "f" with ring, "h" with middle, "k" with index. Then moves only pinky to "z". Then moves index to "u" and ring to "r" (it is not necessary to do this at the same time, but for advanced technique it is advisable to strive for this.).

If training right hand: same, but numbers indicating fingers are reversed - 1 - thumb, 2 - index, 3 - middle, 4 - ring, 5 - pinky

Possible Benefits

This type of mode could be useful for several purposes:

1. Guitar and instrument practice
Training finger independence and stretch for fretting hand coordination.

2. General finger dexterity training
Improving motor control and coordination.

3. Hand rehabilitation
Potentially useful for people recovering finger mobility after injuries.

Implementation Notes

Some simple design ideas:

• train one hand at a time (left/right switch)
• colored visualization of fingers
• tasks defined in a simple notation
• support multiple simultaneous moves
• scoring based on accuracy and error count rather than speed
• ability to set your own tasks in simple text notation

Why it might fit MonkeyType

MonkeyType already tracks key presses and sequences, so the same input system might support this kind of training mode with relatively small additions.

Thanks for considering the idea!
Even if it’s outside the main scope, I thought it might be an interesting experimental mode.

[loogaru]

Not as a promotion, but for reference, here's a prototype of this idea that I implemented with the help of Kimi AI:
https://loogaru.github.io/finger-trainer/