Making reels on Instagram with music is easy and fun. Reels allow you to record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and creative tools right in the Instagram app. Using music in your reels is a great way to make them more lively and engaging.
Steps to make reels on Instagram with music
- Open the Instagram app and swipe right to open the reels camera.
- Tap the music note icon at the top to open the music library.
- Search for a song or browse trending/recommended music.
- Tap the song you want to use and select the part of the song.
- Tap the record button to start recording your reel.
- Record different clips one after the other to create a 15-second reel.
- Edit clips, adjust speed, add effects, filters, stickers, text, etc.
- Rearrange clips in the order you want them to appear.
- Once done, tap “Next” to go to the sharing options.
- Add a caption, hashtags, tag people, and select audience.
- Finally, tap “Share” to post your reel on Instagram.
That’s the basics of making reels with music on Instagram. Now let’s dive deeper into the steps and explore all the creative options.
Accessing the music library in Reels
The first step to using music in your reels is accessing Instagram’s music library within the Reels camera. Here’s how to do it:
- Open Instagram and swipe right on your feed to open the Reels camera.
- Tap the music note icon at the top of the screen.
- This will open Instagram’s music library where you can browse or search for songs.
Instagram’s music library has a wide variety of trending and popular songs to choose from. You can also use your own audio by simply recording it directly in the Reels camera.
Searching and selecting the perfect song
Once you open the music library, you can scroll through recommended songs or tap the search bar to look for a specific song or artist. Here are some tips for picking the right music:
- Choose a catchy tune that fits your video clip’s vibe.
- Pick a trending song to increase chances of going viral.
- Search for music that relates to your content.
- Use lesser-known songs to avoid competing with other reels.
- Match the music’s mood to emotions you want to evoke.
After selecting a song, you can choose a specific part of the song you want to use. Use the slider below the album art to trim the song length.
Recording clips with music
Once you’ve picked your music, it’s time to record clips! Here are some tips for recording great reels with music:
- Tap record and start lip-syncing or dancing to the music.
- Capture different angles and camera movements.
- Use props, costumes, and backgrounds relevant to the music.
- Act out lyrics or emotions fitting the song.
- Time your actions to match beats, vocals, or musical cues.
- Record 3-6 ultra short clips to stitch together a 15-second reel.
Record clips in short bursts focused on specific actions or emotions. Shoot from multiple angles to give your reel visual variety. Don’t worry about perfection – you can edit clips later!
Editing your reels with music
Instagram provides powerful editing tools within the Reels camera to enhance your clips. Here are some editing tips:
- Trim clips: Shorten or lengthen clips as needed.
- Adjust speed: Speed up or slow down part of a clip.
- Effects: Add cool AR effects to your selfie clips.
- Filters: Choose an overall look using Instagram filters.
- Text: Overlay text like lyrics, captions or hashtags.
- Stickers: Select fun stickers to match the music vibe.
- Drawings: Get creative and doodle on your clips.
- Mix order: Rearrange clips in any order.
Play around with editing tools until you achieve the vibe you want. Add effects that enhance the music or lyrics. Make sure clips transition smoothly into each other.
Sharing your reel with the right details
Once your reel is complete, it’s time to share it on Instagram. Make sure to:
- Write a compelling caption fitting the music.
- Credit the song and artist being used.
- Use relevant hashtags so your reel is discoverable.
- @Mention friends or accounts featured.
- Set audience to public or only followers.
- Share a preview to your stories to boost views.
Great captions and strategic hashtags can help your reel spread on Instagram. Share a fun behind-the-scenes story about making your reel in the caption.
Best practices for reels with music
Finally, keep these best practices in mind when making reels with music for awesome results:
- Pick music that fits your brand image or content niche.
- Use trending song snippets for higher reach.
- Lip-sync or act out lyrics for engaging videos.
- Showcase interests, talents or skills set to music.
- Use transitions and effects to complement song beats.
- Time captions and hashtags to appear in time with music.
- Ensure clips are short, varied and transition smoothly.
- Promote your reel proactively after sharing it.
Reels with the right music choice, editing polish and promotion give you the best chance for going viral. As you post more reels, analyze metrics to see what works best for your audience. Have fun showing off your musical side with creative Instagram reels!