diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 92960bc..e7dd31a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -33,13 +33,13 @@ Please refer to the [arcade-button-wiring.md](arcade-button-wiring.md) file for
    # Use the default music file or the MUSIC_FILE environment variable
    python3 wecker.py
 
-   # Or pass a custom music file directly
+   # Or pass a custom music file (used by the blink style; ignored by simple)
    python3 wecker.py --music-file /path/to/your/alarm.mp3
 
    # Choose an alarm style (default: blink; see Alarm Styles below)
    python3 wecker.py --style simple
    ```
-   The music file is resolved in this order: `--music-file` argument, `MUSIC_FILE` environment variable, default `Laid Back - Sunshine Reggae.mp3`. The `--style` argument selects the alarm behaviour and defaults to `blink` (so existing cron entries keep working unchanged).
+   `--style` selects the alarm behaviour and defaults to `blink` (so existing cron entries keep working unchanged). Each style owns its own ringing tone: `blink` plays a music file on loop (resolved from `--music-file`, then the `MUSIC_FILE` env var, then the default `Laid Back - Sunshine Reggae.mp3`); `simple` ignores the music file and beeps.
 
 ## Automating and Managing Alarms (GraphQL API)
 
@@ -145,12 +145,14 @@ Returns `true` if the alarm was stopped, `false` if it wasn't ringing.
 
 Each alarm has a **style** that decides how you turn it off. Set it per alarm via the `style` field of `setAlarm` (or the `style` argument of `startRinging`). Available styles:
 
-| Style | Behaviour |
-|---|---|
-| `simple` | Press the button once to stop. The LED stays solid on so the button is findable in the dark. **Default for new alarms.** |
-| `blink` | The memory-and-attention puzzle described in [How the Puzzle Works](#how-the-puzzle-works). |
+| Style | Ringing tone | How to stop |
+|---|---|---|
+| `simple` | A repeating, ordinary-alarm-clock **beep** (no music file needed). | Press the button once. The LED stays solid on so the button is findable in the dark. **Default for new alarms.** |
+| `blink` | A music file on an endless loop (from `--music-file` / `MUSIC_FILE` / the default track). | The memory-and-attention puzzle described in [How the Puzzle Works](#how-the-puzzle-works). |
 
-Adding a style is a plugin-style drop-in: add a class under `styles/` implementing the `AlarmStyle` contract (`__init__(set_led)` + `update(now, is_pressed) -> bool`) and register one line in `styles/__init__.py`.
+**The style owns its ringing tone.** The runner hands each style an audio capability (`play_music(path)` and `play_beep()`); the style decides which to use and when. This is the seam for future styles that handle their own tone.
+
+Adding a style is a plugin-style drop-in: add a class under `styles/` implementing the `AlarmStyle` contract (`__init__(set_led, sound, music_file)` + `start()` + `update(now, is_pressed) -> bool`) and register one line in `styles/__init__.py`.
 
 **Backward compatibility:** existing cron entries created before this feature have no `--style` flag and keep running the `blink` puzzle, so an upgrade never silently changes an alarm. To switch an existing alarm to `simple`, re-save it with `setAlarm(id: ..., cronExpression: ..., style: "simple")`.
 
diff --git a/styles/base.py b/styles/base.py
index 0d1ce80..920f7b8 100644
--- a/styles/base.py
+++ b/styles/base.py
@@ -1,20 +1,48 @@
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from typing import Callable
+from typing import Callable, Protocol
+
+
+class AlarmSound(Protocol):
+    """Audio capability injected into a style so it can own its ringing tone.
+
+    Styles stay free of pygame/GPIO imports (the API process imports them only
+    for name validation); the runner supplies a concrete implementation.
+    """
+
+    def play_music(self, path: str) -> None:
+        """Load and play a music file on an endless loop."""
+        ...
+
+    def play_beep(self) -> None:
+        """Play one short beep tone."""
+        ...
 
 
 class AlarmStyle(ABC):
     """A pluggable alarm behaviour.
 
-    A style decides *when* the alarm stops and what the LED does while it
-    rings. It never touches hardware directly: ``set_led`` is injected by the
-    runner, so styles stay import-safe in the API process (no GPIO/pygame).
+    A style owns *its own ringing tone* (via the injected ``sound``) and
+    decides when the alarm stops and what the LED does. It never touches
+    hardware directly: ``set_led`` and ``sound`` are injected by the runner, so
+    styles stay import-safe in the API process (no GPIO/pygame).
 
-    Lifecycle: construct once with ``set_led``, then call ``update`` every
-    tick. Return ``False`` from ``update`` to stop the alarm.
+    Lifecycle: construct once with ``set_led``/``sound``/``music_file``; call
+    ``start()`` to begin ringing (kick off the tone and initial LED); then call
+    ``update`` every tick. Return ``False`` from ``update`` to stop the alarm.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, set_led: Callable[[bool], None]):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        set_led: Callable[[bool], None],
+        sound: AlarmSound,
+        music_file: str | None = None,
+    ):
         self.set_led = set_led
+        self.sound = sound
+        self.music_file = music_file
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        """Begin ringing. Override to start the style's tone / initial LED."""
 
     @abstractmethod
     def update(self, now: float, is_pressed: bool) -> bool:
diff --git a/styles/blink.py b/styles/blink.py
index 7d6d046..be507ee 100644
--- a/styles/blink.py
+++ b/styles/blink.py
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ class BlinkStyle(AlarmStyle):
     exactly that many times. A wrong count starts a fresh sequence.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, set_led):
-        super().__init__(set_led)
+    def __init__(self, set_led, sound, music_file=None):
+        super().__init__(set_led, sound, music_file)
         self.state = STATE_RINGING
         self.target_blinks = 0
         self.user_presses = 0
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ class BlinkStyle(AlarmStyle):
         self._blink_phases = 0
         self._blink_next_toggle: float | None = None
 
+    def start(self):
+        # The puzzle rings with music on an endless loop; the LED stays off
+        # until the button is pressed to start the blink sequence.
+        self.sound.play_music(self.music_file)
+        self.set_led(False)
+
     def update(self, now, is_pressed):
         button_just_pressed = False
         if is_pressed and not self.button_was_pressed:
@@ -124,7 +130,14 @@ class BlinkStyle(AlarmStyle):
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # Self-check: a correct blink sequence stops the alarm.
-    style = BlinkStyle(lambda on: None)
+    class _StubSound:
+        def play_music(self, path):
+            pass
+
+        def play_beep(self):
+            pass
+
+    style = BlinkStyle(lambda on: None, _StubSound(), "x.mp3")
 
     assert style.update(100.0, True) is True
     assert style.state == STATE_WAIT_BEFORE_BLINK
diff --git a/styles/simple.py b/styles/simple.py
index d8bdd47..0abc2c2 100644
--- a/styles/simple.py
+++ b/styles/simple.py
@@ -1,18 +1,52 @@
 from styles.base import AlarmStyle
 
+# Time between beep retriggers; a short beep followed by this gap gives the
+# classic alarm-clock "beep ... beep ... beep".
+BEEP_INTERVAL = 0.5
+
 
 class SimpleStyle(AlarmStyle):
-    """Press the button once to stop the alarm."""
+    """Press the button once to stop. Rings with a repeating beep.
 
-    def update(self, now, is_pressed):
+    This style plays no music file; it owns its tone via ``sound.play_beep``.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, set_led, sound, music_file=None):
+        super().__init__(set_led, sound, music_file)
+        self._next_beep = 0.0
+
+    def start(self):
         # LED solid on so the button is findable in the dark.
         self.set_led(True)
+
+    def update(self, now, is_pressed):
+        self.set_led(True)
+        if now >= self._next_beep:
+            self.sound.play_beep()
+            self._next_beep = now + BEEP_INTERVAL
         return not is_pressed  # first press -> False -> stop
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    # Self-check: not pressed keeps ringing; a press stops it.
-    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: None)
+    # Self-check: not pressed keeps ringing and beeps; a press stops it.
+    class _StubSound:
+        def __init__(self):
+            self.beeps = 0
+
+        def play_music(self, path):
+            raise AssertionError("simple style must never play music")
+
+        def play_beep(self):
+            self.beeps += 1
+
+    sound = _StubSound()
+    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: None, sound)
+    style.start()
     assert style.update(0.0, False) is True
-    assert style.update(0.1, True) is False
+    assert sound.beeps == 1  # first tick beeps
+    assert style.update(0.4, False) is True  # before interval -> no beep
+    assert sound.beeps == 1
+    assert style.update(0.5, False) is True  # at interval -> beep
+    assert sound.beeps == 2
+    assert style.update(0.6, True) is False  # press -> stop
     print("simple self-check ok")
diff --git a/tests/test_styles_blink.py b/tests/test_styles_blink.py
index 0f304a4..a861723 100644
--- a/tests/test_styles_blink.py
+++ b/tests/test_styles_blink.py
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
 from styles.blink import (
     STATE_BLINKING,
     STATE_EVALUATING,
@@ -8,23 +10,31 @@ from styles.blink import (
 )
 
 
-def _led():
-    """Return (calls list, set_led callable recording each call)."""
+def _make_blink(music_file="music.mp3"):
+    """Return (style, sound_mock) for a BlinkStyle ready to start."""
+    sound = MagicMock()
+    style = BlinkStyle(lambda on: None, sound, music_file)
+    return style, sound
+
+
+def test_start_plays_music_and_led_off():
     calls = []
-    return calls, lambda on: calls.append(on)
+    sound = MagicMock()
+    style = BlinkStyle(lambda on: calls.append(on), sound, "track.mp3")
+    style.start()
+    sound.play_music.assert_called_once_with("track.mp3")
+    assert calls == [False]  # LED off while music plays until a press starts the puzzle
+    assert style.state == 0  # STATE_RINGING until a press
 
 
 def test_press_starts_puzzle():
-    _, set_led = _led()
-    style = BlinkStyle(set_led)
+    style, _ = _make_blink()
     assert style.update(100.0, True) is True
     assert style.state == STATE_WAIT_BEFORE_BLINK
 
 
 def test_blink_correct_sequence_stops(monkeypatch):
-    _, set_led = _led()
-    style = BlinkStyle(set_led)
-
+    style, _ = _make_blink()
     style.update(100.0, True)  # press -> start puzzle
     assert style.state == STATE_WAIT_BEFORE_BLINK
 
@@ -48,8 +58,7 @@ def test_blink_correct_sequence_stops(monkeypatch):
 
 
 def test_blink_incorrect_retries():
-    _, set_led = _led()
-    style = BlinkStyle(set_led)
+    style, _ = _make_blink()
     style.state = STATE_WAIT_FOR_INPUT
     style.target_blinks = 3
 
@@ -65,8 +74,9 @@ def test_blink_incorrect_retries():
 
 
 def test_blinking_non_blocking():
-    calls, set_led = _led()
-    style = BlinkStyle(set_led)
+    calls = []
+    style, _ = _make_blink()
+    style.set_led = calls.append
     style.state = STATE_BLINKING
     style.target_blinks = 2
 
@@ -84,8 +94,7 @@ def test_blinking_non_blocking():
 
 
 def test_blinking_advances_time():
-    _, set_led = _led()
-    style = BlinkStyle(set_led)
+    style, _ = _make_blink()
     style.state = STATE_BLINKING
     style.target_blinks = 4
 
diff --git a/tests/test_styles_simple.py b/tests/test_styles_simple.py
index 74f9bc1..3bf1d8e 100644
--- a/tests/test_styles_simple.py
+++ b/tests/test_styles_simple.py
@@ -1,23 +1,49 @@
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
 from styles.simple import SimpleStyle
 
 
+def _make_style():
+    sound = MagicMock()
+    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: None, sound)
+    return style, sound
+
+
 def test_simple_keeps_ringing_when_not_pressed():
-    calls = []
-    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: calls.append(on))
+    style, _ = _make_style()
     assert style.update(0.0, False) is True
-    assert calls[-1] is True  # LED solid on while ringing
 
 
 def test_simple_stops_on_first_press():
-    calls = []
-    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: calls.append(on))
+    style, _ = _make_style()
     assert style.update(0.0, True) is False  # press -> stop
 
 
-def test_simple_led_off_on_release_after_press():
-    # After a press the style stops; verify it never turns the LED off itself
-    # (the runner's cleanup handles that). It only ever asserts LED on.
+def test_simple_led_solid_on():
     calls = []
-    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: calls.append(on))
-    style.update(0.0, False)
+    sound = MagicMock()
+    style = SimpleStyle(lambda on: calls.append(on), sound)
+    style.start()
     assert calls == [True]
+    style.update(0.0, False)
+    assert calls[-1] is True  # stays on every tick
+
+
+def test_simple_beeps_on_interval():
+    style, sound = _make_style()
+    style.start()
+    style.update(100.0, False)  # first tick -> beep
+    assert sound.play_beep.called
+    sound.play_beep.reset_mock()
+    style.update(100.4, False)  # before interval -> no beep
+    assert not sound.play_beep.called
+    style.update(100.5, False)  # at interval -> beep
+    assert sound.play_beep.called
+
+
+def test_simple_never_plays_music():
+    style, sound = _make_style()
+    style.start()
+    style.update(0.0, False)
+    style.update(0.0, True)  # press -> stop
+    assert not sound.play_music.called
diff --git a/tests/test_wecker.py b/tests/test_wecker.py
index 851b16d..9fa16b5 100644
--- a/tests/test_wecker.py
+++ b/tests/test_wecker.py
@@ -32,11 +32,14 @@ def test_set_led(mock_gpio):
     mock_gpio.output.assert_called_with(wecker.LED_PIN, mock_gpio.HIGH)
 
 
-@patch("wecker.time.time")
-def test_run_alarm_plays_music(mock_time, mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
-    mock_pygame.mixer.get_init.return_value = True
-    wecker.run_alarm(test_mode=True)
-    assert mock_pygame.mixer.music.play.called
+def test_setup_inits_mixer_and_gpio_not_music(mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
+    wecker.setup()
+    assert mock_pygame.mixer.pre_init.called
+    assert mock_pygame.mixer.init.called
+    assert mock_gpio.setmode.called
+    assert mock_gpio.setup.called
+    # setup() no longer loads music — that is now the style's job.
+    assert not mock_pygame.mixer.music.load.called
 
 
 def test_run_alarm_unknown_style_raises(mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
@@ -47,8 +50,7 @@ def test_run_alarm_unknown_style_raises(mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
 
 
 def test_run_alarm_uses_selected_style(mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
-    """run_alarm looks up the style by name and drives the returned style."""
-    mock_pygame.mixer.get_init.return_value = True
+    """run_alarm looks up the style, injects a Sound, and calls start()."""
     fake = MagicMock()
     fake.update.return_value = True  # keep ringing
     fake_style_cls = MagicMock(return_value=fake)
@@ -57,17 +59,68 @@ def test_run_alarm_uses_selected_style(mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
         wecker.run_alarm(style_name="whatever", test_mode=True)
 
     get_style.assert_called_once_with("whatever")
-    fake_style_cls.assert_called_once_with(wecker.set_led)
+    args = fake_style_cls.call_args.args
+    assert args[0] is wecker.set_led
+    assert isinstance(args[1], wecker.Sound)
+    fake.start.assert_called_once()
     fake.update.assert_called()
 
 
-def test_setup_uses_env_music_file(mock_gpio, mock_pygame, monkeypatch):
-    monkeypatch.setenv("MUSIC_FILE", "/custom/track.mp3")
-    wecker.setup()
-    mock_pygame.mixer.music.load.assert_called_with("/custom/track.mp3")
+def test_run_alarm_default_music_file(mock_gpio, mock_pygame, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.delenv("MUSIC_FILE", raising=False)
+    fake = MagicMock()
+    fake.update.return_value = True
+    fake_style_cls = MagicMock(return_value=fake)
+    with patch("wecker.get_style", return_value=fake_style_cls):
+        wecker.run_alarm(test_mode=True)
+    assert fake_style_cls.call_args.args[2] == wecker.DEFAULT_MUSIC_FILE
 
 
-def test_setup_music_file_argument_overrides_env(mock_gpio, mock_pygame, monkeypatch):
+def test_run_alarm_env_music_file(mock_gpio, mock_pygame, monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setenv("MUSIC_FILE", "/env/track.mp3")
-    wecker.setup(music_file="/arg/track.mp3")
-    mock_pygame.mixer.music.load.assert_called_with("/arg/track.mp3")
+    fake = MagicMock()
+    fake.update.return_value = True
+    fake_style_cls = MagicMock(return_value=fake)
+    with patch("wecker.get_style", return_value=fake_style_cls):
+        wecker.run_alarm(test_mode=True)
+    assert fake_style_cls.call_args.args[2] == "/env/track.mp3"
+
+
+def test_run_alarm_music_file_arg_overrides_env(mock_gpio, mock_pygame, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setenv("MUSIC_FILE", "/env/track.mp3")
+    fake = MagicMock()
+    fake.update.return_value = True
+    fake_style_cls = MagicMock(return_value=fake)
+    with patch("wecker.get_style", return_value=fake_style_cls):
+        wecker.run_alarm(music_file="/arg/track.mp3", test_mode=True)
+    assert fake_style_cls.call_args.args[2] == "/arg/track.mp3"
+
+
+@patch("wecker.time.time")
+def test_run_alarm_blink_plays_music(mock_time, mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
+    """The default (blink) style plays music on an endless loop."""
+    wecker.run_alarm(test_mode=True)
+    assert mock_pygame.mixer.music.play.called
+    assert mock_pygame.mixer.music.play.call_args.args[0] == -1  # endless loop
+
+
+def test_run_alarm_simple_beeps_and_plays_no_music(mock_gpio, mock_pygame):
+    """The simple style beeps and never touches the music stream."""
+    wecker.run_alarm(style_name="simple", test_mode=True)
+    assert mock_pygame.mixer.Sound.return_value.play.called  # beep played
+    assert not mock_pygame.mixer.music.play.called  # no music
+
+
+def test_sound_play_music_loads_and_loops(mock_pygame):
+    s = wecker.Sound()
+    s.play_music("/track.mp3")
+    mock_pygame.mixer.music.load.assert_called_with("/track.mp3")
+    mock_pygame.mixer.music.set_volume.assert_called_with(1.0)
+    mock_pygame.mixer.music.play.assert_called_with(-1)
+
+
+def test_sound_play_beep_plays_buffer(mock_pygame):
+    s = wecker.Sound()
+    s.play_beep()
+    mock_pygame.mixer.Sound.assert_called_once_with(wecker._BEEP_BUFFER)
+    mock_pygame.mixer.Sound.return_value.play.assert_called_once()
diff --git a/wecker.py b/wecker.py
index 71632c4..f141788 100644
--- a/wecker.py
+++ b/wecker.py
@@ -1,10 +1,13 @@
-import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
-import time
-import logging
-import pygame
-import sys
+import array
+import math
 import os
+import sys
+import time
 import fcntl
+import logging
+
+import pygame
+import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
 
 # Use PulseAudio/PipeWire audio driver to avoid ALSA device-busy errors.
 os.environ.setdefault("SDL_AUDIODRIVER", "pulse")
@@ -69,11 +72,12 @@ LED_PIN = 27
 DEFAULT_MUSIC_FILE = "Laid Back - Sunshine Reggae.mp3"
 
 
-def setup(music_file: str | None = None):
-    """Initialize GPIO and audio hardware. Call once before running."""
-    if music_file is None:
-        music_file = os.environ.get("MUSIC_FILE", DEFAULT_MUSIC_FILE)
+def setup():
+    """Initialize GPIO and audio hardware. Call once before running.
 
+    Audio playback itself is owned by each style via the injected ``Sound``
+    capability, so this only brings up the mixer and pins.
+    """
     GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
     GPIO.setup(LED_PIN, GPIO.OUT)
     GPIO.setup(BUTTON_PIN, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)
@@ -82,14 +86,47 @@ def setup(music_file: str | None = None):
     pygame.mixer.pre_init(frequency=44100, size=-16, channels=2, buffer=4096)
     pygame.mixer.init()
 
-    try:
-        pygame.mixer.music.load(music_file)
-        pygame.mixer.music.set_volume(1.0)
-    except Exception as e:
-        logging.error(f"Error loading audio file: {e}")
-        # Don't exit in test mode
-        if "pytest" not in sys.modules:
-            sys.exit(1)
+
+def _make_beep_buffer(
+    freq: int = 1000, duration: float = 0.15, rate: int = 44100
+) -> bytes:
+    """Synthesize a short square-wave beep as signed-16-bit stereo PCM.
+
+    Matches the mixer format from ``pre_init`` (rate, -16, 2 channels) so it
+    feeds straight into ``pygame.mixer.Sound``. No audio file, no extra dep.
+    """
+    n = int(rate * duration)
+    buf = array.array("h")
+    for i in range(n):
+        v = 32767 if math.sin(2 * math.pi * freq * (i / rate)) >= 0 else -32767
+        buf.append(v)
+        buf.append(v)  # duplicate to stereo
+    return buf.tobytes()
+
+
+_BEEP_BUFFER = _make_beep_buffer()
+
+
+class Sound:
+    """Audio capability injected into styles so each can own its ringing tone."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self._beep = pygame.mixer.Sound(_BEEP_BUFFER)
+
+    def play_music(self, path: str):
+        """Load and play a music file on an endless loop."""
+        try:
+            pygame.mixer.music.load(path)
+            pygame.mixer.music.set_volume(1.0)
+            pygame.mixer.music.play(-1)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.error(f"Error loading audio file: {e}")
+            if "pytest" not in sys.modules:
+                sys.exit(1)
+
+    def play_beep(self):
+        """Play one short beep tone."""
+        self._beep.play()
 
 
 def set_led(on):
@@ -108,16 +145,18 @@ def run_alarm(
 ):
     """Run the alarm clock with the given style until the style signals stop.
 
-    The runner owns everything shared (music loop, button sampling, cleanup);
-    the style only decides when to stop and what the LED does.
+    The runner owns only the shared button sampling and cleanup; each style
+    owns its own ringing tone (via the injected ``Sound``) and LED behaviour.
     """
-    style = get_style(style_name)(set_led)
-    setup(music_file=music_file)
-    logging.info("Alarm clock started. Music is playing in an endless loop.")
-    if "pygame" in globals() and hasattr(pygame, "mixer") and pygame.mixer.get_init():
-        pygame.mixer.music.play(-1)
+    style_cls = get_style(style_name)  # validate before touching hardware
+    if music_file is None:
+        music_file = os.environ.get("MUSIC_FILE", DEFAULT_MUSIC_FILE)
 
-    set_led(False)  # LED off at start; the style drives it from here.
+    setup()
+    sound = Sound()
+    style = style_cls(set_led, sound, music_file)
+    logging.info("Alarm clock started.")
+    style.start()  # style kicks off its own tone + initial LED
 
     try:
         while True:
@@ -146,7 +185,7 @@ if __name__ == "__main__":
     parser.add_argument(
         "--music-file",
         default=os.environ.get("MUSIC_FILE", DEFAULT_MUSIC_FILE),
-        help="Path to the MP3 file to play (default: $MUSIC_FILE or default track).",
+        help="Music file for the blink style (default: $MUSIC_FILE or default track).",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--style",