m trying to perform an editing technique that requires numerous edits and i need a way to select a clip under (or in front of) the playline with just the keyboard. Is there any way to do this?

Not exactly sure what you are trying to do, how would the keyboard know what clip you want to select? What program, Pro, AE, Encore, Elements?

Here is a list of Premiere Elements keyboard shortcuts, many are the same in Premiere Pro
muvipix Articles » Blog Archive » Premiere Elements’ Effects, Transitions and Keyboard Shortcuts
You can also modify the keyboard mapping and map your own shortcut.

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