Problem Solved Thanks!
Don't cross-post thanks. Your other post deleted.
is it possible to just hit the "1"on my keyboard and the arduino automatically recognizes it and executes a command? If so how?
Not with the Serial Monitor. You need to use a proper terminal emulator. Assuming you are on Windows, something like Hyperterminal or PuTTY.
putty is exactly what I was looking for thanks!