3 · Outputs & actuators
Buzzer: playing notes
Intermediate15 min
Goal
Play a scale with tone() on pin 8.
Why it matters
Frequency sets the pitch: your first look at periodic signals.
What you need
- Arduino UNO board
- Piezo buzzer
Nothing to buy: every component below is simulated in the browser.
Steps
- 01Add a buzzer on pin 8.
- 02Declare an array of frequencies (262, 294, 330, 349, 392…).
- 03Play them with tone(8, f, 300) inside a for loop.
- 04Finish with noTone(8).
This tutorial runs inside the Circuitly simulator: your wiring and your code are checked automatically at every step.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to buy hardware for this tutorial?
- No. Everything runs in the browser: Circuitly simulates the board, the components and the code. Real hardware is optional if you want to rebuild the circuit afterwards.
- Which components are used?
- Arduino UNO board, Piezo buzzer. They are already available in the simulator library.
- How long does it take?
- About 15 minutes, intermediate level, in 4 guided steps.
- What should I know before starting?
- The previous tutorial in the series, “Smooth fade (sine curve)”, is enough preparation. No software install is required.
- Is the code provided and checked?
- The simulator checks your wiring and your code automatically at every step, and shows the commented solution if you get stuck.
For teachers
Get the teaching pack: 6 ready-to-run sessions
Full progression, objectives, student steps and an assessment grid — printable, free.
One address, no spam: just the pack and classroom updates.