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How to Cut Music on TikTok: A Creator’s Essential Guide

So, you want to nail that perfect TikTok video, but the music’s a bit…off? Mastering music cutting on TikTok is crucial for creating engaging, shareable content. It’s the secret sauce that elevates a good video to a viral sensation. Luckily, it’s a lot simpler than you think.

The core of it: To cut music on TikTok, utilize the built-in editing tools within the platform. After selecting your desired song, you’ll see a waveform displayed. Drag the beginning and end points of this waveform to select the precise 15-second segment you want to use in your video. Fine-tune your selection with the play button until the music aligns perfectly with your visuals.

Diving Deeper: Mastering TikTok’s Music Editing Features

While the basic process is straightforward, understanding the nuances of TikTok’s music editing features allows you to truly refine your content. Let’s break down the process step-by-step:

Start a New TikTok Video: Open the TikTok app and tap the “+” icon at the bottom to begin recording.
Add Your Music: Before or after recording your video, tap the “Add sound” option at the top of the screen. This will open TikTok’s music library.
Choose Your Song: Browse through TikTok’s trending sounds, use the search bar to find a specific song, or select a song you’ve saved as a favorite.
The Cutting Room: Once you’ve selected your song, a screen with the song title and artist will appear, and you will find a scissors icon on the right side of the screen. Tap this icon to access the music cutting tool.
Navigate the Waveform: You’ll see the song’s waveform, representing its audio intensity over time. Use your finger to drag the start and end markers (the vertical lines) along the waveform. The selected section will be highlighted.
Preview and Fine-Tune: Tap the play button to preview your selected music clip. Make small adjustments to the start and end points until you achieve the perfect synchronization with your video.
Confirmation: Once you’re satisfied, tap the checkmark icon (usually a red or pink checkmark) to confirm your selection.
Recording Your Video: If you added the music before recording, your chosen segment will now play as you record your video. If you added the music after recording, the selected segment will be overlaid on your video.
Further Editing (Optional): TikTok offers additional editing features, such as adding effects, text overlays, and filters, to further enhance your video.
Post!: Once everything is ready, write a compelling caption, add relevant hashtags, and share your masterpiece with the world.

Tips for Expert-Level Music Cutting

Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the rhythm and beat of the music. Choose segments that complement your video’s visuals and message.
Start Strong: Aim to start your music clip with a catchy hook or a powerful moment to immediately grab the viewer’s attention.
Consider the Length: TikTok videos are short-form, so make every second count. Trim any unnecessary parts of the music clip to keep your video concise and engaging.
Match the Mood: Choose music that aligns with the overall tone and emotion of your video.
Stay Updated: Keep an eye on trending sounds on TikTok. Using popular music can increase the visibility of your videos.
Use Headphones: Headphones will let you hear the beat and rhythm of the music more clearly, allowing for more precise cutting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about cutting music on TikTok, along with in-depth answers to help you become a true TikTok music maestro.

1. How long can a music clip be on TikTok?

The standard music clip length on TikTok is 15 seconds. However, if you’re creating longer videos (using the longer video options, up to 3 minutes), the music can also be extended to match the video’s length, but the editing process is the same – you’re still choosing a 15 second (or longer depending on your video length) segment from the song.

2. Can I use my own music on TikTok?

Yes, you can! You can upload your own music to TikTok, but you will need to do it from a business account. Then, you can use your own music as an “Original Sound”. Be aware of copyright implications if the music isn’t truly your own original work. You should only use your own original sound.

3. Why can’t I find the song I want on TikTok?

There are several reasons why a song might not be available:

Licensing Restrictions: TikTok needs to obtain licenses to use music. If a song isn’t licensed for use on the platform, it won’t be available.
Regional Availability: Some songs may only be available in certain regions due to licensing agreements.
Newly Released Music: It can take some time for newly released music to become available on TikTok.

4. How do I save a sound on TikTok to use later?

When you find a sound you like on TikTok, tap the spinning record icon at the bottom of the video. This will take you to a page with the sound’s information. Tap the “Add to favorites” option (usually a small heart icon). You can then access your saved sounds from the “Sounds” section when creating a new video.

5. How do I change the music on a TikTok video after posting?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly change the music on a TikTok video after it has been posted. You’ll need to delete the original video and re-upload it with the correct music. This is why it’s critical to review your music selection carefully before posting.

6. Can I use multiple songs in one TikTok video?

While TikTok’s built-in tools don’t directly support layering multiple full-length songs, you can achieve a similar effect using video editing apps outside of TikTok. These apps allow you to combine different audio tracks and synchronize them with your video. Some examples include: CapCut, InShot and VN.

7. How do I fix music that’s out of sync on TikTok?

If your music appears out of sync, try the following:

Check Your Internet Connection: A poor internet connection can sometimes cause synchronization issues.
Restart the TikTok App: This can often resolve temporary glitches.
Re-upload the Video: If the problem persists, delete and re-upload the video, ensuring the music is properly synchronized during the editing process.
Clear TikTok’s Cache: Clear the app’s cache within the app settings as corrupted cache files may cause issues.

8. How do I fade music in or out on TikTok?

TikTok does not have a native feature to fade music in or out. For this effect, you’ll need to use a third-party video editing app that offers audio fading capabilities, like CapCut.

9. Is it legal to use copyrighted music on TikTok?

TikTok has licensing agreements with many music labels and publishers, which allows users to use a wide range of copyrighted music within the platform. However, if you’re using music outside of TikTok’s library (for example, uploading your own music), you need to ensure that you have the necessary rights and permissions. Using copyrighted music without permission can result in your video being taken down or your account being penalized.

10. What is an “Original Sound” on TikTok?

An “Original Sound” on TikTok refers to audio that you create yourself or audio that you have the rights to use. This could be a song you composed, a voiceover you recorded, or any other unique audio creation. Using original sounds can help you stand out on TikTok and build your own brand.

11. How do I make my Original Sound go viral on TikTok?

There’s no guaranteed formula for going viral, but here are some tips:

Create High-Quality Content: Ensure your video is visually appealing and engaging.
Use Trending Hashtags: Incorporate relevant and trending hashtags to increase visibility.
Promote Your Video: Share your video on other social media platforms to drive traffic.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and interact with your followers to build a community.
Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with other TikTok users to reach a wider audience.

12. Can I use music from other video editing apps on TikTok?

Yes, but you’ll need to export the video from the other editing app and then upload it to TikTok. Ensure that the music is properly licensed for use on TikTok to avoid any copyright issues.