Half of each step of the musical staircase is covered with floor-mounted pressure sensors (the other half is reserved for those who do not participate in this installation). As soon as you step on it, a switch signal is sent to an Arduino circuit board, which then drives a small hammer covered with a solenoid to strike a metal vibration piece. Each vibrator can emit sounds of different pitches. This page shows an early prototype made with a cowbell and a wooden moving arm.

Since pressure-sensitive technology is easily damaged, photoelectric sensing technology began to be used. Infrared transmitting and receiving devices installed on both sides of the stairs can determine when pedestrians step on the steps by whether the light signal is blocked. Because this technology uses non-contact induction, there are no special requirements for stairs, and both cost and lifespan have been qualitatively improved. In the subway station where the musical staircase was trialled, 66 more people chose to climb the stairs than take the elevator. Some people also upload videos of themselves walking up and down stairs to YouTube to show off the music they create.