Notes in an Array

Part of the Outputs section of Coddy's Arduino journey. Lesson 13 of 24.

A melody is a list of notes. An array keeps a list of values under one name:

int notes[] = {262, 294, 330, 349};  // C, D, E, F

Each value has a position called its index, and counting starts at 0: notes[0] is 262, notes[1] is 294, and the last one, notes[3], is 349. There is no notes[4]: reading it gives whatever happens to be in memory after the array.

The index can be a variable. Keep one, play the note it points at, then move it on:

int i = 0;

void loop() {
  tone(8, notes[i]);
  delay(400);
  i = i + 1;
  if (i == 4) {
    i = 0;
  }
}

Each time loop() runs, the next note plays. After the last one, the index goes back to 0 and the tune starts again.

Challenge

Easy

Play the notes C, D, E and F one after another on pin 8, 400 ms each, again and again:

keep the four frequencies in an array: 262, 294, 330, 349
use an index variable to play the next one each time loop() runs
after the last note, go back to the first

Press Run, then Check.

Try it yourself

const int buzzerPin = 8;
// make the notes array and the index variable here

void setup() {
}

void loop() {
  // play the note at the index, wait 400 ms, move to the next one
}

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Outputs

Practice on your own: Arduino playground