Add a soft track under a tutorial and it suddenly feels more polished. Add the wrong track, too loud, and nobody can follow your steps. Background music for videos is a small detail that makes a big difference — in both directions. This guide covers when music helps a tutorial, how loud it should be, and where to find tracks you're allowed to use.
When background music helps — and when it doesn't
Music is a tool, not a requirement. Many excellent tutorials have none at all.
Music usually helps when…
- There are silent parts — typing, loading, scrolling — that feel empty without sound.
- The video is short and energetic, like a Reel, Short or TikTok tip.
- There's no voice-over, and captions carry the explanation.
- You want a consistent "feel" for your channel's intros and outros.
Music usually hurts when…
- You're explaining something detailed, like code, math or banking steps, and viewers need to concentrate.
- The app's own sounds matter, as in a game or music app review.
- Your voice is quiet or the recording has background noise — music makes it harder to hear.
- The track has lyrics. Words in the music compete with your words.
A good middle ground: music only during the intro, outro and silent sections, and no music (or very quiet music) while you speak.
How loud should background music be?
This is where most beginners go wrong. Music that sounds "just right" on your own headphones is often too loud for viewers on a phone speaker.
- Under your voice: music should be clearly quieter than your speech — something viewers notice only if it stops. A common starting point in many editors is to set music far below the voice level and adjust by ear from there.
- In silent parts: you can bring the music up a little when you're not talking.
- Fade in and out: avoid sudden starts and stops. Short fades sound much more professional.
Before adding music, make sure your voice recording is clean. Speaking close to the mic and checking the live mic level meter while you record makes everything else easier. See screen recording with your voice on Android and audio cleanup basics.
Choosing the right kind of music
For tutorials, simpler is better.
| Video type | Music style that usually fits |
|---|---|
| App tutorial with voice | Soft, steady, no lyrics — or none |
| Short tip (Reel/Short) | Upbeat, light, short loop |
| Product demo | Clean, modern, mid-tempo |
| Lecture or study video | None, or very calm piano/ambient |
| Gameplay highlights | Energetic, matches the game's mood |
Avoid tracks with sudden drops, loud drums or vocals under explanations. And keep the same few tracks across a series — it helps viewers recognise your channel.
Copyright-safe music: the basics
This is general information, not legal advice. Copyright rules differ by country and by platform, so check the licence for every track and your local law if you're unsure.
What usually causes problems
- Popular songs — Bangla, Hindi, English or any other — are almost always copyrighted. Using them can lead to claims, muted audio, blocked videos or lost monetisation.
- "I only used 10 seconds" or "I gave credit" doesn't automatically make it allowed.
- Downloading music from random sites labelled "free" is risky; the uploader may not own the rights.
Safer places to look
- Platform libraries: YouTube's Audio Library (in YouTube Studio) offers music creators can use in their videos, with the terms shown for each track. Instagram, Facebook and TikTok also have music libraries inside their apps — but these may be licensed for use only on that platform.
- Royalty-free libraries: many services offer music under a licence for creators, sometimes free and sometimes paid. Read what the licence allows: monetised videos, client work, attribution required or not.
- Creative Commons music: some tracks are free to use if you follow the licence, often including credit in your description. Some CC licences don't allow commercial use.
- Make or commission your own: a friend who makes music can create a simple intro tune you own or have clear permission to use.
Keep a simple note of where each track came from and its licence. If a claim ever appears, you'll have the information ready. For more on this topic, read copyright basics for creators.
A simple workflow for adding music
- Record and edit your tutorial first. In Cinematic Recorder, polish the visuals — auto zoom, cursor effects and focus highlights — and export.
- Choose a track from a source whose licence fits your use.
- Add the music in the editor or platform tool you use for audio, or pick it from the platform's library when you upload.
- Lower it under your voice, raise it slightly in silent parts, add fades.
- Test on a phone speaker and with earphones.
- Credit the track in your description if the licence asks for it.
If you're making short clips, see making YouTube Shorts from screen recordings for pacing that works with music.
FAQ
Should every tutorial have background music?
No. For detailed explanations, many viewers prefer just a clear voice. Use music where it fills silence or adds energy, not by default.
How loud should background music for videos be?
Clearly quieter than your voice — loud enough to notice in silent moments, quiet enough to ignore while you talk. Test on a phone speaker.
Can I use a popular song if I give credit?
Giving credit doesn't grant permission. Popular songs usually need a licence. Use music libraries with clear terms instead.
Is music from TikTok or Reels safe to use on YouTube?
Often not. Those libraries are usually licensed for use inside that app only. Check the terms before reusing a track elsewhere.
Try your next tutorial two ways — with soft music and without — and listen on a phone speaker. You'll quickly hear what works. Used carefully, background music for videos supports your explanation instead of competing with it.