Step 1: Make it
What is it?
The first step to making a micro:bit guitar: play different tunes by using the micro:bit’s touch sensor.
These two videos show you what you'll make and how to code it:
Introduction
Coding guide
How it works
- This is like the Jukebox project, but instead of using the micro:bit’s buttons, you’ll make your own input device, touch buttons using crocodile clip leads and tin foil connected to the micro:bit's pins.
- Flash the program on to your micro:bit. Attach headphones to pin 0 and GND so you can hear sound – see Make some noise project for details.
- Attach crocodile clips to pins 1, 2 and another to GND. With one finger touch GND, and with another finger touch the wires connected to pin 1 and then pin 2. It should play a different tune depending on which pin you touch.

- The micro:bit is using pin 0 as an analogue output, varying the electrical signal to make audio (sound). It’s using pins 1 and 2 as touch inputs. When you touch either of these pins and the GND (ground or Earth) pin, you’re completing an electrical circuit. A small amount of electricity flows through you and the micro:bit can detect it and the program triggers the playing of a tune.
What you need
- micro:bit and optional battery pack
- MakeCode or Python editor
- headphones, buzzer or powered speaker
- 5 crocodile clip leads
- optional cardboard, tin foil, glue stick, scissors to make guitar or keyboard
Step 2: Code it
Step 3: Improve it
- Make touch buttons using tin foil and cardboard. Shape them to look like a keyboard or a guitar.
- Change the tunes that get played when you touch the tin foil.
- Program your own tunes.
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