Pin Press Switch

Duration: approximately 45 minutes

Materials:

2-3 Crocodile clips

Blocks

let on = false
on;
if (on) { } else {}
input.onPinPressed(TouchPin.P1, () => {})

Step 1: Pin Press Test

input.onPinPressed(TouchPin.P0, () => {
    basic.showNumber(0)
})
input.onPinPressed(TouchPin.P1, () => {
    basic.showNumber(1)
})
input.onPinPressed(TouchPin.P2, () => {
    basic.showNumber(2)
})

Create the pin-press code

Download the code on the micro:bit

Hold the micro:bit touching The GND pin with one hand with the other hand alternately touch the 0, 1 and 2 pins

Step 2: Installing conductive foil on the guitar

Add foil to the guitar body where it is easy to touch while playing

Connect the foil to GND using a crocodile clip

Add foil to the guitar neck

Connect the foil to pin 1 using a crocodile clip

Step 3: Add a switch to turn the guitar ON and OFF

Using the on global variable we can switch the message on the micro:bit between ON and OFF

let on = false
basic.forever(() => {
    if (on == true) {
        basic.showString("ON")
    } else {
        basic.showString("OFF")
    }
})
input.onPinPressed(TouchPin.P1, () => {
    if (on == true) {
        on = false
    } else {
        on = true
    }
})

Create the ON/OFF switch code

Download the code on the micro:bit

Test by touching P1 to toggle the LED message between ON and OFF

Final code TODO: do we want to use on = !on; or be more direct in flipping the switch? on = true; on = false;

let on = false
basic.forever(() => {
    if (on) {
        music.setTempo(pins.map(Math.abs(input.acceleration(Dimension.Y)),
            0, 1023,
            60, 320))
        music.playTone(
            input.lightLevel() * 25,
            music.beat(BeatFraction.Quarter)
        );
    } else {
        music.rest(music.beat())
    }
})
input.onPinPressed(TouchPin.P1, () => {
    on = !on;
})

Now Play!

Turn the guitar ON and OFF with a pin press on the connected foil by touching both pieces of foil at the same time to connect the switches