Play a song using note blocks in Minecraft

What can we use instead of a button or lever to start the song if we don't have one?

Use a pressure plate or tripwire hook placed at the start of the redstone line behind the note blocks to trigger the circuit instead of a button or lever.

Why does nothing happen when I press the button and how do I fix it?

If the song doesn't play, check that the redstone dust row behind the eight note blocks is continuous, each redstone repeater is facing toward the note blocks, and every note block has a solid block under it as required to change instruments and allow sound.

How can I change the activity to suit different ages?

For younger kids, shrink the project to a 4-note line in a smaller cleared area and set simple pitches by right-clicking each note block once, while older kids can use the full 8-note layout, fine-tune repeater delays for complex rhythms, or add redstone loops for repeats.

What are easy ways to improve or personalize our music machine before sharing it on DIY.org?

Personalize it by choosing different solid blocks under each note block to change instruments, adding redstone lamps wired to the repeater outputs so lights flash with each note, labeling notes with signs, and decorating the 10x5 build area before sharing on DIY.org.