How to Choose the Right Music BPM for Your Video

How to Choose the Right Music BPM for Your Video

It's forever intriguing to witness how spectators naturally discern the efficacy of an alteration, regardless of their vernacular limitations or technical insights.

Even if the nuances of "BPM" (beats per minute) haven't crossed your mind during editing endeavors, it's highly likely you inherently grasp its profound influence on the ambiance and vibe of a cinematic endeavor.

When you mention that a thrilling sequence necessitates "accelerated" music or a tender moment requires a "relaxed" melody, you're not implying an expedited conclusion or prolonged duration of the musical piece. Rather, you're articulating the tempo of the composition, and therein lies the significance of BPM.

What is Music BPM ?

Artlist provides a platform where songs, each with a specific BPM ranging from 20 to 200, can be categorized into various tempos. These tempos serve as classifications for songs with similar BPMs.

You can utilize Artlist's search feature to find songs that align with your project's required BPM. For instance, if your project demands music synchronized with a ticking clock, you can search for a song precisely set at 60 BPM.

Although traditional tempos are denoted by Italian terms like lento for slow, andante for medium, and allegro for fast, Artlist simplifies these into categories such as slow, medium-slow, medium, medium-fast, and fast.

Choosing the Right BPM

Once you open up Artlist.io, you can head to the BPM dropdown option just above your current song selection.

From this point, you can select your BPM range in a couple of different ways. First, you can select the tempo you want your song to have, automatically filtering your selection with a single click. Your tempo options (with their BPM ranges) are:

• Slow (20-70 BPM)
• Medium-slow (70-90 BPM)
• Medium (90-110 BPM)
• Medium-fast (110-130 BPM)
• Fast (130-200 BPM)

We’ll take a listen to these tempos in Artlist songs very soon.

You can find a song with a particular BPM by using the slider or searching within a specific number range. If you want to try out different tempos, these tools allow you to search for a wide variety of songs with different BPMs. They are flexible and let you choose what works best for your project.

To hear the difference between these tempos, take a listen to the Artlist songs below:

Why BPM is Important for your Background Music

Here are two examples of videos with different subjects and BPM approaches:

1. A video about nature with slow background music at a low BPM.
2. A fast-paced video about city life with energetic music at a high BPM.

Example 1 : Fast Tempo

I found a great story on Artgrid called "Boxing Match" by LACOFILMS. I downloaded the clips I liked and then went to Artlist. I chose the Medium-fast tempo option and found several songs that could work well.

I used the filter options to narrow down my search by theme (Sports & Fitness) and genre (Hip Hop). I found a song called "Element" that was perfect for my boxing story.

While editing to this song, I used its speed to create a rhythm in my cuts. I also made sure to change the rhythm sometimes to keep the editing interesting.

I matched certain actions in the footage with the beat of the song, like a punch landing on a beat, to keep the energy high.

Example 2 : Slow Tempo

In this second example, the beautiful underwater footage from Wind Collective on Artgrid needed a peaceful, calming edit. So I started by searching for a Slow tempo, then filtered further by theme (Nature) to find “Chemtrails” by Sémø.

Example 3 : “Wrong” Tempo

Here's how changing the speed and music of a video can affect how it feels. When we switch their BPMs but keep everything else the same, some parts work well, but overall, the videos can be tough to watch.

The subject and music may not match, making you want different things from the video. Sometimes, the obvious choice isn't the best one. So, let's talk about some tips for picking the right BPM for your video.

Tips for Choosing the Right BPM for your Video

Here are a few tips to keep in mind for trying to choose the best background music for your videos.

Use BPM in combination with other filters on Artlist.

When I was editing earlier, I learned that choosing the right song isn't just about the BPM. Fast songs can be exciting, happy, or scary, while slow songs can be calming, romantic, or spooky.

Using BPM alone helps you find a song with the right speed for your video. But if you also filter by theme or genre, you can discover songs that are a bit different but perfect for your scene.

This makes finding the perfect song quicker because it narrows down your choices and reduces the number of tracks you need to listen to before finding the right one.

Sometimes an Unconventional BPM is the Best Choice

In videos with fast-paced action, it's common to use fast music, and the opposite is true for slower scenes. However, it's worth considering using an unusual BPM for your project.

Sometimes, breaking the norm can be effective: having music that contrasts strongly with the visuals can create a powerful impact, especially if the song's other qualities match the scene well.

For instance, in the movie Interstellar, there's a scene where a character launches his spaceship into a black hole, which is very intense.

Surprisingly, the BPM of the music in this scene is just 59, showing that a slow BPM can work effectively even in highly dramatic moments.

The slow tempo of the music adds intensity due to loud volume and a full orchestra. This slow pace also makes the feeling of being pulled into a black hole seem inevitable, although it might make editing tasks easier.

It also helps us feel calmness in the character Coop as he accepts his destiny.

On the other hand, in the music video for LCD Soundsystem's "Oh Baby," directed by Rian Johnson, the song has a very fast pace with 169 beats per minute.

While it starts with quick cuts and fast action (like mathematical calculations), most of the video has long scenes without much action. But if you watch it, you'll see how well it works.

The song "oh baby" is like a scene from a movie. It uses different kinds of music, not just the speed (BPM), to make it intense. The song has long, steady singing and synthetic sounds that go well with the fast beat in the background.

This makes the song suitable for fast-paced scenes or slow, thoughtful moments in storytelling.

Wrapping Up

Now that you understand what BPM is and how it can affect a video, use it effectively in your own projects and make tempo work in your favor.

Frequently Asked Question

1. What Is Bpm, And Why Is It Important In Video Editing ?

BPM stands for beats per minute, indicating the tempo of music. It's crucial as it sets the rhythm and mood of a video.

2. How can I Choose the Right BPM for my Video?

Utilize platforms like Artlist to filter songs by BPM ranges, considering the video's theme and genre for a perfect match.

3. Can Unconventional BPM Choices Work Effectively in Videos ?

Yes, unconventional BPMs can create impactful contrasts. Examples like slow music in intense scenes (Interstellar) or fast music in slow scenes (LCD Soundsystem) demonstrate this.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right BPM (beats per minute) for your video's background music is crucial for setting the desired mood and enhancing the viewer's experience.

By utilizing platforms like Artlist that categorize songs based on BPM ranges and combining BPM selection with other filters such as theme or genre, you can quickly find the perfect soundtrack for your scene.

While conventional BPM choices often align with the video's pace, don't hesitate to experiment with unconventional BPMs for impactful storytelling.

Ultimately, understanding the nuances of BPM and its influence on video editing allows you to create engaging and immersive content that resonates with your audience.