All tutorials

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

  1. 01Add a buzzer on pin 8.
  2. 02Declare an array of frequencies (262, 294, 330, 349, 392…).
  3. 03Play them with tone(8, f, 300) inside a for loop.
  4. 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.

In the same series

Explore other topics