How Do You Post a Video on Instagram With Music? A Comprehensive Guide

Want to soundtrack your life’s moments on Instagram? Adding music to your videos elevates them from simple recordings to engaging stories. The process is surprisingly straightforward, but understanding the nuances will ensure your posts resonate with your audience. Here’s the direct answer: You can post a video on Instagram with music primarily through the Instagram app itself, using either the Story feature or Reels. For Stories, you add music after recording or uploading your video. For Reels, you can either add music before or after recording. Both methods access Instagram’s music library directly within the app. Alternatively, you can edit your video in a third-party app, embedding the music there before uploading the completed video to Instagram. Now, let’s dive into the specifics and unlock the full potential of musical Instagram videos.

Mastering Instagram’s Music Features

Instagram has baked-in music functionality that’s surprisingly powerful. Understanding the different avenues for adding music is crucial.

Using Music in Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are designed for ephemeral, real-time content, and music plays a huge role in making them dynamic.

1. Create Your Story: Begin by opening the Instagram app and tapping the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen or swiping right from the main feed. Choose either to record a new video directly or upload one from your camera roll.

2. Access the Music Sticker: Once your video is ready, tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen (it looks like a square with a smiley face). Scroll through the sticker options until you find the “Music” sticker. Tap it.

3. Browse and Select Music: You’ll now be presented with Instagram’s music library. You can browse by mood, genre, trending songs, or use the search bar to find a specific track.

4. Choose Your Clip: Once you’ve found your song, select the portion of the song you want to use. You can drag the highlighted section of the waveform to choose the perfect 5-15 second clip for your Story.

5. Customize the Display: Instagram offers several ways to display the music. You can choose to show the song title and artist, the lyrics (if available), or a simple waveform graphic. Select the style that best complements your video.

6. Position and Resize: Drag the music sticker to position it on your screen. You can also pinch to resize it. Some creators hide the sticker entirely by making it very small or placing it behind other elements.

7. Post Your Story: Once you’re satisfied, tap “Your Story” to share it with your followers, or “Close Friends” to share it with a select group.

Unleashing Musical Potential with Instagram Reels

Reels are short-form videos designed for discovery and entertainment, and music is often the driving force behind their viral success.

1. Start a New Reel: Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and select “Reel.” You can either record a new video directly within the Reels interface or upload clips from your camera roll.

2. Access the Audio Library: Before or after recording, tap the “Audio” icon (it looks like a musical note). This will open Instagram’s music library.

3. Discover Trending Audio: Reels prominently features trending audio tracks. This is a great way to jump on popular trends and increase the visibility of your Reel.

4. Select and Add Your Song: As with Stories, you can browse by genre, mood, or search for specific songs. Once you’ve found your track, tap it to add it to your Reel.

5. Record with Music (or Add After): If you add the music before recording, the music will play as you record your video, allowing you to sync your movements to the beat. If you add music after recording, you can adjust the timing of the music to fit your video.

6. Adjust Audio Levels: Reels allows you to control the volume of both the original video and the added music. This is essential for creating a balanced and professional-sounding video.

7. Add Effects and Text: Reels offers a wide range of editing tools, including filters, effects, text overlays, and stickers. Use these tools to enhance your video and make it more engaging.

8. Share Your Reel: Once you’re happy with your creation, add a caption, hashtags, and choose a cover image. Then, tap “Share” to publish your Reel to your feed and the Reels tab.

Third-Party Editing: Taking Control of Your Audio

While Instagram’s built-in music library is convenient, it has limitations. If you need more control over your audio editing, consider using a third-party video editing app.

• Video Editing Apps: Apps like Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie (for iOS), CapCut, and FilmoraGo allow you to import video clips and audio tracks, sync them perfectly, and adjust volume levels with precision. These apps often offer advanced features like audio ducking, noise reduction, and audio equalization.

• Embedding Music Before Uploading: By adding the music in a third-party app, you ensure that the music is permanently embedded in the video file. This is particularly useful if you’re using music that isn’t available in Instagram’s library or if you want to use a specific version or edit of a song.

• Copyright Considerations: Be extremely mindful of copyright when using music from sources outside of Instagram’s library. Using copyrighted music without permission can result in your video being taken down or your account being penalized. Consider using royalty-free music from platforms like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or PremiumBeat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the world of Instagram music videos:

1. Can I use any song I want on Instagram?

No. Instagram has licensing agreements with music labels and artists, which determine which songs are available in its library. Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your video being muted or removed.

2. What happens if Instagram mutes my video because of copyright?

If Instagram detects copyrighted music in your video that you don’t have the rights to use, it may mute the audio, remove the video, or even penalize your account. The exact consequences depend on the severity of the copyright infringement.

3. How can I avoid copyright issues when using music on Instagram?

The best way to avoid copyright issues is to use music from Instagram’s built-in library or to use royalty-free music from reputable sources. Always check the licensing terms before using any music in your videos.

4. Can I add music to an existing Instagram post?

No, you cannot directly add music to an existing Instagram post (a post that’s already on your feed) once it’s been published. You can only add music when creating a new Story or Reel. If you want to add music to an existing post, you’ll need to delete it and re-upload it with the music included.

5. Why can’t I find the music sticker on Instagram Stories?

The music sticker may not be available in all regions due to licensing restrictions. Ensure your Instagram app is updated to the latest version. Also, business accounts may have limited access to the music library compared to personal accounts.

6. Can I add lyrics to my Instagram videos?

Yes, if lyrics are available for a song in Instagram’s music library, you can display them in your Story or Reel. When you select the music sticker or audio track, Instagram will automatically detect if lyrics are available and offer you the option to display them.

7. How do I change the song after I’ve added it to my Story or Reel?

If you’ve added a song and want to change it, you’ll need to delete the music sticker or audio track and add a new one. Unfortunately, there’s no direct way to swap out the song without removing the existing one.

8. Can I use my own music on Instagram?

You can use your own music, but you’ll need to upload it to a music distribution platform that has partnered with Instagram. These platforms ensure that your music is properly licensed and that you receive royalties when it’s used in videos.

9. How do I adjust the volume of the music in my Instagram video?

In Reels, you can adjust the volume of both the original video audio and the added music by tapping the “Audio” icon and using the volume sliders. In Stories, you don’t have direct volume control, but you can try adjusting the overall volume on your device.

10. Why does the music sound different on Instagram than it does on other platforms?

Instagram uses audio compression to optimize videos for mobile viewing. This compression can sometimes affect the quality of the music. To minimize this, ensure your original audio file is of high quality.

11. Is it better to add music before or after recording a Reel?

It depends on your preference and the type of video you’re creating. Adding music before recording allows you to sync your movements to the beat, while adding music after recording gives you more flexibility in adjusting the timing and placement of the music.

12. Can I save a Reel with music as a draft?

Yes, you can save a Reel as a draft before posting it. This allows you to work on your video over time and come back to it later. To save a Reel as a draft, simply tap the “X” icon while editing and select “Save Draft.”

By following these guidelines and understanding the nuances of Instagram’s music features, you can create captivating videos that resonate with your audience and elevate your online presence. Now go forth and make some noise!