how to background music

Step-by-Step: How to Find the Right Mood

1. Understand the Message

  • What does the voiceover say?
  • Who is it speaking to (young people, parents, eco-shoppers, etc.)?
  • What feeling should the listener walk away with?
    (Excited? Calm? Inspired? Safe? Magical?)

Tip: Read the script out loud. What kind of music would play under it in a movie or TV ad?

2. Choose a Tempo

  • Fast (120+ BPM) → Excitement, urgency, energy
  • Medium (90–110 BPM) → Confidence, modern, feel-good
  • Slow (60–80 BPM) → Calm, emotional, thoughtful

3. Pick the Right Key or Chords

Your choice of chords sets the emotional tone right away. Even with simple loops or pads, the harmony gives listeners a clear message.

🟡 Major Key – Uplifting / Happy / Positive

Use this for friendly, clean, inspiring, or happy products (like GlowUp).

Example Progressions:

  • C – G – Am – F (Pop classic, feel-good)
  • D – A – Bm – G (Modern, confident)
  • G – D – Em – C (Gentle, trustworthy)

These progressions feel “resolved” and stable — perfect for ads that inspire trust and optimism.

🔵 Minor Key – Emotional / Serious / Bold

Use this when you want more edge, seriousness, or depth (like RocketMornings if you want it dramatic or powerful).

Example Progressions:

  • Am – F – C – G (Emotional, cinematic)
  • Em – G – D – A (Energetic, modern minor)
  • Bm – G – A – F# (Moody, serious)

Minor chords are good for ads that need intensity, focus, or emotion.

🟣 Suspended / Modal – Magical / Dreamy / Curious

These give a floating, story-like feel — ideal for children’s products or magical storytelling (like StoryTrail).

Example Progressions:

  • C – Csus4 – F – G (Suspended feel, curious)
  • D – Em – C – G (Mixolydian-style, adventurous)
  • Am – G – Fmaj7 – Em (Whimsical, dreamlike)

These don’t resolve in a traditional way — they invite imagination and mystery.

Extra Tips:

  • Try looping just 2 chords to keep things simple and catchy
  • Add inversions or 7ths for more richness if needed
  • Let one chord ring out for longer than the others to shape a musical sentence

4. Pick Instruments That Fit the Brand

Instrument Type Feels Like
Acoustic guitar / piano Natural, honest, friendly
Synths / bass Modern, bold, high energy
Strings / pads Emotional, cinematic
Glockenspiel / chimes Magical, childlike
Percussion / drums Movement, excitement

Try this: Start with 2 instruments. Add more only if they help the mood.

5. Keep It Focused

  • The voice is the star – leave space for it
  • Avoid too much going on in the mid frequencies
  • Think of phrases: intro, under the voice, short outro tag

Mood Checklist

✔ Does the music match the tone of the voice?
✔ Can you clearly hear the voice over the track?
✔ Does the music have a beginning, middle, and end?
✔ Is the music the right length (30–45 sec)?
✔ Did you avoid “filling the space” just to fill it?

Bonus Tips

  • Less is more – 2–4 well-chosen elements beat a cluttered mix
  • Use reference ads! Listen to real radio ads or YouTube ads with your eyes closed
  • Automate volume if needed: music can dip behind voice and rise again at the end.
  • Consider using a sidechain compressor as described
  • Use EQ to carve space for the voice (cut around 1–5kHz in music)