RockType is a free typing game for kids built into RockBlocks. Every key on the keyboard is a drum, so typing plays music, and every word you type builds a beat block of a real drum beat you can take into the RockBlocks drum machine.

What ages or grades is RockType for?

Kindergarten through Grade 8. Each grade has its own typing lessons and phrases pitched at its reading level, and its own words-per-minute goal — gentle for young children (4 WPM in Kindergarten) and rising to 27 WPM in Grade 8.

How does RockType teach typing?

The Drum Keys lessons follow the classic touch-typing path: the home row first, then the top row, then the whole keyboard, with capitals and punctuation from Grade 4 up. An on-screen keyboard shows which finger plays each key, and an optional finger guide overlays a pair of hands in home-row position with the next finger lit up.

Which key plays which drum?

The two hands mirror each other, so the same finger on either hand plays the same drum. On the home row, index fingers (F and J) play the kick drum, middle fingers (D and K) the snare, ring fingers (S and L) the closed hi-hat, and pinkies (A and ;) the open hi-hat. The top row is toms and cymbals, the bottom row repeats the core kit, and the space bar is a kick.

What game modes does RockType have?

Drum Keys lessons for each grade, plus Groove Builder (type a phrase or your own words and turn it into a beat), Keep the Beat (press each key right on the beat as letters slide toward a line, with a tempo slider), Jam Session (play the keyboard like a drum kit and record up to 32 beats, with your typed words under the beat), and a Speed Test (30 or 60 seconds, with a personal best).

Is RockType free, and do kids need an account?

Yes, it's free, and every mode is playable without an account. Signing in saves lesson stars to your account so they follow you across devices.

Does RockType work in a classroom?

Yes. It runs in any modern web browser with no install, each student can pick their own grade, and every beat a student makes can be opened in the RockBlocks drum machine or saved to their library.

Can I use RockType on a tablet or phone?

Yes. A physical keyboard is best for learning to type, but the game works with a phone or tablet keyboard too, and in Jam Session you can tap the on-screen keys to drum.

RockType ⌨️🥁

Learn to type by playing the drums. Every key is a drum — F and J are your kick drums, D and K your snare. Every word you type builds a beat block, and the cleaner you type, the bigger your groove.

Your grade

Groove BuilderType a phrase (or your own words) and turn it into a beat.Keep the BeatPress each key right on the beat as the letters slide in.Jam SessionYour keyboard is a drum kit. Record up to 32 beats — with your words under them.Speed TestHow fast can you type? Beat the clock and your personal best.

Drum Keys · Grade 2

★ 0 / 36

About RockType

RockType is a free typing game for kids, Kindergarten through Grade 8, where every key on the keyboard is a drum. The home-row fingers play the core kit — F and J are the kick drum, D and K the snare, S and L the hi-hat — so typing literally plays music, and every word typed locks in a beat block of a real drum beat: type cleanly and the groove gets fuller. It has Drum Keys typing lessons for each grade (home row, top row, then the whole keyboard with capitals and punctuation), an on-screen keyboard that shows where each finger goes, and four more ways to play: Groove Builder, Keep the Beat, Jam Session, and a Speed Test. Every beat made in RockType opens straight in the full RockBlocks drum machine. It runs in a web browser with no download, everything is playable without an account, and signing in saves progress.

How to play

1.Pick a grade. Kindergarten through Grade 8 — each grade has its own lessons and phrases at its reading level, and its own words-per-minute goal.
2.Put your fingers on the home row. Turn on the finger guide to see a pair of hands on the on-screen keyboard: fingertips on A S D F and J K L ;, thumbs on the space bar. The finger for the next key lights up.
3.Type the phrase — every key plays a drum. F and J are kick drums, D and K are snares, and the top row is toms and cymbals. Each word you finish locks in one beat block, and the beat loops while you type the rest.
4.Type cleanly for a fuller groove. A word typed with no mistakes earns its full beat block; a word with mistakes keeps only the kick and snare. Mistakes never stop the music.
5.Earn stars. Finish a phrase for one star, stay accurate for two, and hit your grade's speed goal for three. Sign in to keep your stars across devices.
6.Take your beat into RockBlocks. Every phrase you type becomes a real drum beat. Open it in the RockBlocks drum machine to remix it, add a bass line, or save it.

Frequently asked questions

What is RockType?: RockType is a free typing game for kids built into RockBlocks. Every key on the keyboard is a drum, so typing plays music, and every word you type builds a beat block of a real drum beat you can take into the RockBlocks drum machine.
What ages or grades is RockType for?: Kindergarten through Grade 8. Each grade has its own typing lessons and phrases pitched at its reading level, and its own words-per-minute goal — gentle for young children (4 WPM in Kindergarten) and rising to 27 WPM in Grade 8.
How does RockType teach typing?: The Drum Keys lessons follow the classic touch-typing path: the home row first, then the top row, then the whole keyboard, with capitals and punctuation from Grade 4 up. An on-screen keyboard shows which finger plays each key, and an optional finger guide overlays a pair of hands in home-row position with the next finger lit up.
Which key plays which drum?: The two hands mirror each other, so the same finger on either hand plays the same drum. On the home row, index fingers (F and J) play the kick drum, middle fingers (D and K) the snare, ring fingers (S and L) the closed hi-hat, and pinkies (A and ;) the open hi-hat. The top row is toms and cymbals, the bottom row repeats the core kit, and the space bar is a kick.
What game modes does RockType have?: Drum Keys lessons for each grade, plus Groove Builder (type a phrase or your own words and turn it into a beat), Keep the Beat (press each key right on the beat as letters slide toward a line, with a tempo slider), Jam Session (play the keyboard like a drum kit and record up to 32 beats, with your typed words under the beat), and a Speed Test (30 or 60 seconds, with a personal best).
Is RockType free, and do kids need an account?: Yes, it's free, and every mode is playable without an account. Signing in saves lesson stars to your account so they follow you across devices.
Does RockType work in a classroom?: Yes. It runs in any modern web browser with no install, each student can pick their own grade, and every beat a student makes can be opened in the RockBlocks drum machine or saved to their library.
Can I use RockType on a tablet or phone?: Yes. A physical keyboard is best for learning to type, but the game works with a phone or tablet keyboard too, and in Jam Session you can tap the on-screen keys to drum.