Learn Sonic-pi - 10 Code Examples & CST Typing Practice Test

Sonic Pi is a live coding environment designed for creating music using code. It allows users to compose, perform, and experiment with sounds in real-time, blending programming with musical creativity.

View all 10 Sonic-pi code examples →

Hello World Tune in Sonic Pi Simple Drum Beat Ascending Scale Arpeggio Example Simple Bassline Random Notes Melody with Reverb Simple Drum Roll Chord Progression Simple Ambient Loop

Learn SONIC-PI with Real Code Examples

Updated Nov 26, 2025

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Code Sample Descriptions

Hello World Tune in Sonic Pi

play 60
sleep 0.5
play 62
sleep 0.5
play 64
sleep 0.5
play 67
sleep 1
play 72

A simple Sonic Pi script that plays a short 'Hello World' melody.

Let’s Try →

Simple Drum Beat

sample :bd_haus
sleep 0.5
sample :sn_dub
sleep 0.5
sample :bd_haus
sleep 0.5
sample :sn_dub
sleep 0.5

Plays a basic drum pattern using Sonic Pi samples.

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Ascending Scale

play 60
sleep 0.25
play 62
sleep 0.25
play 64
sleep 0.25
play 65
sleep 0.25
play 67
sleep 0.25
play 69
sleep 0.25
play 71
sleep 0.25
play 72

Plays a C major ascending scale.

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Arpeggio Example

play 60
sleep 0.25
play 64
sleep 0.25
play 67
sleep 0.25
play 72
sleep 0.25

Plays a simple arpeggio of a C major chord.

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Simple Bassline

use_synth :fm
play 36
sleep 0.5
play 38
sleep 0.5
play 40
sleep 0.5
play 41
sleep 0.5

Plays a repeating bassline pattern.

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Random Notes

8.times do
    play choose([60,62,64,65,67,69,71,72])
    sleep 0.25
end

Plays 8 random notes within an octave.

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Melody with Reverb

with_fx :reverb, mix: 0.5 do
    play 60
    sleep 0.5
    play 64
    sleep 0.5
    play 67
    sleep 0.5
end

Plays a simple melody with a reverb effect.

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Simple Drum Roll

16.times do
    sample :sn_dub
    sleep 0.125
end

Plays a drum roll using the snare sample.

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Chord Progression

play_chord [:c4, :e4, :g4]
sleep 1
play_chord [:f4, :a4, :c5]
sleep 1
play_chord [:g4, :b4, :d5]
sleep 1
play_chord [:c4, :e4, :g4]
sleep 1

Plays a basic C major chord progression.

Let’s Try →

Simple Ambient Loop

use_synth :hollow
loop do
    play 60
    sleep 1
    play 65
    sleep 1.5
    play 69
    sleep 0.75
end

Creates a looping ambient soundscape using synths and sleep timings.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Sonic-pi

What is Sonic-pi?

What are the primary use cases for Sonic-pi?

Teaching coding through music in schools and workshops. Live coding performances and concerts. Composing experimental electronic music. Creating interactive sound installations. Learning synthesis, loops, and algorithmic composition

What are the strengths of Sonic-pi?

Instant feedback via live audio output. Bridges programming and music education. Highly interactive and creative environment. Strong community and extensive tutorials. Flexible for algorithmic and experimental music

What are the limitations of Sonic-pi?

Not a full-featured DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Limited GUI tools for traditional music production. Requires familiarity with coding concepts. Complex compositions may become hard to manage. Dependent on computer performance for low-latency audio

How can I practice Sonic-pi typing speed?

CodeSpeedTest offers 10+ real Sonic-pi code examples for typing practice. You can measure your WPM, track accuracy, and improve your coding speed with guided exercises.

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Code Sample Descriptions

Hello World Tune in Sonic Pi

play 60
sleep 0.5
play 62
sleep 0.5
play 64
sleep 0.5
play 67
sleep 1
play 72

A simple Sonic Pi script that plays a short 'Hello World' melody.

Let’s Try →

Simple Drum Beat

sample :bd_haus
sleep 0.5
sample :sn_dub
sleep 0.5
sample :bd_haus
sleep 0.5
sample :sn_dub
sleep 0.5

Plays a basic drum pattern using Sonic Pi samples.

Let’s Try →

Ascending Scale

play 60
sleep 0.25
play 62
sleep 0.25
play 64
sleep 0.25
play 65
sleep 0.25
play 67
sleep 0.25
play 69
sleep 0.25
play 71
sleep 0.25
play 72

Plays a C major ascending scale.

Let’s Try →

Arpeggio Example

play 60
sleep 0.25
play 64
sleep 0.25
play 67
sleep 0.25
play 72
sleep 0.25

Plays a simple arpeggio of a C major chord.

Let’s Try →

Simple Bassline

use_synth :fm
play 36
sleep 0.5
play 38
sleep 0.5
play 40
sleep 0.5
play 41
sleep 0.5

Plays a repeating bassline pattern.

Let’s Try →

Random Notes

8.times do
    play choose([60,62,64,65,67,69,71,72])
    sleep 0.25
end

Plays 8 random notes within an octave.

Let’s Try →

Melody with Reverb

with_fx :reverb, mix: 0.5 do
    play 60
    sleep 0.5
    play 64
    sleep 0.5
    play 67
    sleep 0.5
end

Plays a simple melody with a reverb effect.

Let’s Try →

Simple Drum Roll

16.times do
    sample :sn_dub
    sleep 0.125
end

Plays a drum roll using the snare sample.

Let’s Try →

Chord Progression

play_chord [:c4, :e4, :g4]
sleep 1
play_chord [:f4, :a4, :c5]
sleep 1
play_chord [:g4, :b4, :d5]
sleep 1
play_chord [:c4, :e4, :g4]
sleep 1

Plays a basic C major chord progression.

Let’s Try →

Simple Ambient Loop

use_synth :hollow
loop do
    play 60
    sleep 1
    play 65
    sleep 1.5
    play 69
    sleep 0.75
end

Creates a looping ambient soundscape using synths and sleep timings.

Let’s Try →

Frequently Asked Questions about Sonic-pi

What is Sonic-pi?

What are the primary use cases for Sonic-pi?

What are the strengths of Sonic-pi?

What are the limitations of Sonic-pi?

How can I practice Sonic-pi typing speed?

CodeSpeedTest offers 10+ real Sonic-pi code examples for typing practice. You can measure your WPM, track accuracy, and improve your coding speed with guided exercises.