How to Make a TikTok Dance Video with Music

Creating a TikTok dance video that catches fire is less about being a professional dancer and more about nailing a few simple steps. You've seen the trends, you've heard the sounds, and now you want to jump in. This guide will walk you through everything from finding the perfect trend to filming and posting your video, so you can stop scrolling and start creating.

Finding Your Sound and Dance

The heart of any dance video is the music. The right song can make or break your content, and on TikTok, "the right song" usually means a trending sound. Tapping into a trend is the fastest way to get your video seen by a wider audience because the algorithm already knows people are looking for content using that audio.

How to Spot a Trend

Finding a trend is simpler than it seems. Here’s where to look:

• Your For You Page (FYP): This is your primary trend-spotting tool. As you scroll, pay attention to the songs you hear repeatedly. If you hear the same audio clip attached to different videos, you’ve likely found a trend.
• The Discover Page: Tap the magnifying glass icon and see what hashtags and sounds are currently trending. TikTok often curates these lists, making it easy to see what’s popular right now.
• Top Creators: Check out what popular creators in your niche are doing. They are often at the forefront of new trends and challenges, giving you a good idea of what’s about to blow up.

When you find a sound you like, tap on the spinning record icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to the audio page where you can see how many other videos have been made with that sound. A high number (hundreds of thousands or millions) means it's a huge trend. Save it for later by tapping "Add to Favorites." This makes it easy to find when you're ready to film.

Choose What Feels Right for You

Don’t just pick a trend because it's popular, pick one you genuinely enjoy. Your energy and enthusiasm will show on camera. If the song makes you want to move, you're on the right track. Also, be realistic about the choreography. Some dance trends are incredibly complex, while others are just a few simple, repetitive moves. Start with something that looks fun and manageable for your skill level. The goal is to participate and have a good time, not to perform perfectly.

Mastering the Moves: Learning the Choreography

Once you’ve chosen your dance, it’s time to learn the steps. Don't stress if you're not a natural dancer. Nearly every viral TikTok dance is learned in someone's bedroom with a little bit of practice. Here are a few tips to make the process easier:

1. Slow It Down

Watch the original video several times at normal speed to get a feel for the rhythm and flow. Then, slow it down. If you're watching on TikTok, you can sometimes press and hold the video to change the playback speed. A simpler method is to screen record the video on your phone, then play back the recording from your camera roll. Most phone photo apps allow you to scrub through the video frame by frame, giving you a clear look at every single move.

2. Break It Into Sections

Treat the dance like bite-sized pieces instead of one big meal. Most TikTok dances are built on 8-count phrases (like "5, 6, 7, 8"). Learn the first eight counts of movement, practice it until you feel comfortable, and then move on to the next eight. Connect the sections as you go. Learning in small chunks prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and helps build muscle memory faster.

3. Use a Mirror (or Your Selfie Camera)

Practicing in front of a mirror is a classic for a reason - it works. You get instant feedback on what your movements actually look like versus what they feel like. If you don’t have a full-length mirror, your phone's selfie camera is the next best thing. Prop it up and practice while watching yourself on the screen. This also helps you get comfortable performing for the camera before you even hit record.

Remember, the goal is confident energy, not technical perfection. If you forget a move, just smile and keep going! The audience connects with authenticity, and a happy mistake is far more engaging than a perfectly executed but robotic routine.

Setting the Stage: Your Pre-Filming Checklist

Before you hit record, a little bit of preparation can dramatically improve the quality of your video. A great performance deserves a great presentation.

Lighting is Everything

Good lighting can make a smartphone video look professional. The best light is free: natural daylight. Try filming in front of a window where the light hits your face. This creates a soft, flattering look and eliminates harsh shadows. Avoid backlighting - where the light source is behind you - as it will turn you into a silhouette.

If natural light isn’t an option, a ring light is an affordable game-changer. These lights provide even, direct illumination that makes your video look bright and clear, no matter the time of day.

Pick Your Location and Outfit

Find a spot with a simple, uncluttered background. You are the star of the show, you don’t want a messy room distracting from your dance moves. A plain wall, a neat corner of your room, or even an interesting outdoor location can work great.

Choose an outfit that fits the vibe of the song and, importantly, lets you move freely. You don’t need a specific costume, but what you wear can add character to the video. Most importantly, make sure you feel confident and comfortable in it.

Stabilize Your Phone

Shaky camera work is distracting. To get a stable shot, leaning your phone against a stack of books works in a pinch, but a cheap tripod is one of the best investments you can make for your content. It holds your phone steady and lets you control the angle and height perfectly. A good rule of thumb is to place the camera around chest level - it’s generally the most flattering angle for full-body shots.

Finally, do one last check: wipe your phone's camera lens! A smudge or fingerprint can make your entire video look blurry.

Filming Your Masterpiece: Using the TikTok App

With the prep work done, you're ready to film. The TikTok app has some fantastic built-in tools that make the recording process smooth and simple, even if you’re filming by yourself.

1. Use the Sound

Go to your "Favorites" and select the sound you saved earlier. Tap "Use this sound." This will open the recording camera with the music already loaded and ready to go.

2. Set the Timer

This is your best friend when filming alone. On the right-hand menu of the recording screen, you'll see a "Timer" icon (it looks like a stopwatch). This feature lets you set a 3-second or 10-second countdown before recording starts. This gives you enough time to get into your starting position without having to rush back from your phone.

3. A Pro Tip for Nailing the Moves

Also in the right-hand menu is a "Speed" option. Try recording your video at 0.5x speed. The music will play slower, making it much easier to hit every beat of the choreography perfectly. When you're done, TikTok will speed the footage back up to 1x, and it will sync seamlessly with the original audio. It's a small trick that makes a huge difference.

4. Record in Bursts and Film Multiple Takes

Tap the record button to start and stop filming. You can film your dance in one continuous take or record small segments, which can be useful for more complex routines. Don't be afraid to do multiple takes. No one gets it right on the first try. Film the dance three or four times, you might find that your best performance was your last one when you were feeling more warmed up and relaxed.

Putting It All Together: Editing and Posting

You've got the footage. Now it's time for the final touches that will get your video ready for the world.

Trim and Refine

Once you’re done recording, tap the checkmark to move to the editing screen. Use the "Adjust clips" tool to trim any awkward moments at the start or end of your video. You want the action to start right away to grab viewers' attention within the first second.

Add Text, but Sparingly

Sometimes a bit of on-screen text can add context or humor. Add it if it serves a purpose, but make sure it’s easy to read and doesn’t block the most important parts of your dance. You can set the duration so the text appears and disappears at specific moments.

Write an Engaging Caption and Use Hashtags

Your caption should be short and sweet. Asking a question (e.g., "Did I nail it? Be honest!") is a great way to encourage comments and boost engagement. Then, add your hashtags. A good strategy is to use a mix of broad, niche, and specific tags:

• Broad: #fyp, #dance, #viral
• Niche: #dancetutorial, #hiphopdance
• Specific: #[nameofthedancechallenge]

This helps TikTok categorize your video and show it to the right people.

Choose a Catchy Cover

The cover is the thumbnail people see before they click on your video. On the posting screen, tap "Select cover" and scrub through your video to find a frame that is energetic, clear, and intriguing. A great cover can make a huge difference in how many people watch.

Final Thoughts

Making a TikTok dance video is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. By focusing on having fun, choosing trends that excite you, and using the simple tools available within the app, you can create engaging content that connects with hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people.

Once you've poured your energy into creating great video content, it makes sense to share it beyond just one platform. We built Postbase because we saw creators spending too much time juggling different apps for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. With a visual calendar designed for video, you can plan your content, schedule your amazing dance videos to appear across all your profiles at once, and see what's actually working, all from one clean dashboard.