How I Use Music | Thoughts on the Creative Power of Music

My thoughts on music as a tool for inspiration and storytelling
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- about -
Johnny Harris is a filmmaker and journalist. He currently is based in Washington, DC, reporting on interesting trends and stories domestically and around the globe. Johnny's visual style blends motion graphics with cinematic videography to create content that explains complex issues in relatable ways. He holds a BA in international relations from Brigham Young University and an MA in international peace and conflict resolution from American University.
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[@jelof21]

sound design is the most underrated aspect in story telling, its all about conveying the tone/emotion

[@TheTomzy93]

Also knowing the difference between music (the subject of this video) and sound design (a different topic altogether).

[@SammyAme]

WHAT??? YOU MAKE YOUR OWN MUSIC??? WOW!

[@FrancescoPaggiaro]

It is the most hight level of skill for s filmmaker

[@SammyAme]

@@FrancescoPaggiaro i know right!

[@pameladaley955]

No - Johnny is constantly thanking and linking to the musicians who write the music for his travel pieces! So this was weird - I know he makes music for himself (from previous videos) but - so far anyway - he picks/buys/contracts music from other musicians. If it wasn't the middle of the night I'd go get examples but just look at the descriptions under all his (and Iz too) videos and see his music credits. Maybe he's changing - who knows?

[@victoratsali3496]

This guy is very brilliant. One of the best in his field.

[@annaahatlilly266]

No one: Me:the orange jacket😍🥰😍🤩

[@FrancescoPaggiaro]

Hehe, it is waiting in the background

[@littleredcurious5044]

😂😂😂

[@rwiankowski]

cmon, it's like the first thing I noticed :)

[@CatatonicImperfect]

"I approached Uniqlo for this video..."

[@peter62709]

Me: instantly notices OP-1 and thinks "oh... he really does make music"

[@ravemealone]

same xD

[@Daniel.Anugerah]

Holy shit Totally missed it until I saw this comment

[@ntsh.3485]

samee dood, i was kinda surprised ^-^

[@robbystafford8273]

well ok yeah, but he seems to download other folks' music more, so i'm confused

[@Levi_Allen]

This video is brilliant! So cool watching the layers build. Makes me want to learn more about recording my own tracks Just noticed you’d left a comment about music on my film untethered, appreciate it. I of course now wish I’d done some better tone matching, but always space to grow.

[@1jennifer]

You’re such a thoughtful content creator, damn! I love how you described all of this and categorizing music into thinking vs. feeling. I can’t listen to anything other than abstract beats/consistent rhythm-type stuff while I work, or else I get pulled into the music and distracted. Some friends listen to classical music, or singer-songwriter stuff to work but I absolutely cannot. I try to explain this to some people but I think unsatisfactorily 😆.

[@dirkiemyburgh6499]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWHPm5pqj96la5o I listen to this when I work.

[@AtlasPro1]

Great video! Something I need to do more of

[@LarbiDiGooner]

The amount of research you do for your videos is enough..

[@ShnoogleMan]

An Atlas Pro comment with 14 likes and one reply? That feels like a sin.

[@Blu15H]

only 2 replies and 21 likes?! make it +1!

[@LilysLand]

I started using musicbed because of this video. I use to spend hours and hours trying to find the right music for my videos, in all sorts of different places. This just makes my editing life so much easier!

[@valtersdavidsostrovskis5866]

you should make podcasts. i think u’d be great and i would definetly listen

[@timoD584]

You’re an amazing multimedia journalist ! What stuck with me was the back and forth between thinking and feeling music

[@JoannaGryzewska]

I enjoy your videos a lot! Each has a perfect balance between the speaking part, visuals, and the piece of music you have selected. As a video editor, I know how important music is, and also, I know how hard it is sometimes to find a good piece of music! Everything in your videos is on point! Besides the learning part, I’m always inspired after watching!

[@melchizedekpsj]

This was one of the best quarter of an hour of my life used in quite a while. Thank you very much!

[@JoeyAmor]

I love this video!!! I drive myself crazy searching for music for scenes in my videos and I feel like I’ve ran through every song on Epidemic sound. Tone matching is important to me and I enjoy storytelling. I love your videos, music choices and storytelling from Vox to your personal videos. Thank you!!

[@COGKevin333]

Some of these concepts you don’t think about as a viewer, but so much goes into the formulation of these videos. Music is integral to your videos; it helps paint the perfect picture.

[@AndyMBurgess]

The first track that you played on abstract beats is exactly what opens my latest explainer about Singapore’s rapid growth, and I felt all the same things you just described when I chose it. Great video man I love that more people are spending time on thinking about how music draws out emotions in KZbin videos!

[@basso2012]

Andy Burgess yeah it’s pretty cool to understand what’s behind a video!

[@manojkumar-cc3hn]

A video on how you learned to make music? Is it online /offline? Software? Gear?

[@harry_booth]

Johnny you're a huge source of inspiration. You really gave away the special sauce that makes your videos feel so balanced. Love your work.

[@richardmollberg3096]

Please do a video about libraries where you can download background music and talk about copyright rules. Moving pictures combined with music, what we call media, is something many of us want to be "masters" of, to evoke strong emotions etc and create an audience to our stories.

[@tomfoxmusic]

Videos - Beautiful Music - Dope Style - On Point Goodness Bro!

[@MatheusTorezani]

Tom Fox your music is awesome! Love it!

[@wanderingguidepublishing1311]

Seriously, this may be one of my favorite videos! I love how much you’ve been sharing different sides of your content. Love this!!!

[@MorganAWeber]

I never even thought about switching back and forth between logical and emotional. That makes so much sense and that's something I'd very much like to start incorporating into my videos.

[@jarrlo29]

Thanks for sharing and teaching the community. This is insightful, and it offers me an opportunity to reflect and make adjustments. Also, it inspires me to go and mess around with stuff and just see what happens! Thanks!

[@taylorverrall118]

Man, I have a deep appreciation for the way you see the world and approach challenges Johnny. Truly is inspiring.

[@dillonjohnson7833]

Top 10 video in my entire life. This explains a lot of the missing pieces to story telling I’ve been missing. Thank you Johnny!

[@PatrickNiedermayer]

I revisited this video just because I got stuck searching for music. Your filters helped. Thanks a lot!

[@MatCampbellMusic]

The change-up at 14:30 opened up my mind and my ears. It was the perfect way to demonstrate the use of music paired with visual elements! I'll be sure to incorporate these tips in my compositions! Thanks for the intuitive tips, Johnny.

[@desommetsensommets8065]

I think you just have put words (and provided a basic framework) on what I was trying to achieve intuitively with music in my own editing. In the past I watched one of your video and I tough to myself that you used music in a way that propelled the story and I said to myself I must try to emulate that. And now you give us some of the keys to it, thanks.

[@rachelcriswell5141]

I love that you show us. Where some say or tell, you show and do. So great!

[@rajdodiya4897]

I am not even the whole video through, but i will for sure, please continue uploading such videos I hope this inspires you, to inspire us.

[@tanvigawde1612]

I’m not musically inclined but I’m so fascinated with this concept and how you explain it is very interesting and informative!

[@obidr]

This was awesome!! I’ve always enjoyed how melodic your videos are and getting a glimpse into work thought pattern when making a video. Thank you Johnny!

u inspire me bro. every video u make every single animation, transition and storytelling u do is inspiring ... I personally thank every sponsor you get. I hope you become a millionaire and continue doing what you love. Cheers.

[@JoshSeals]

Love the idea of going back and forth between thinking and feeling in a video. Now I'm going to notice that everywhere and try to incorporate it in my pieces!

[@alhrkn]

It's not enough that your cinematography, animation, and overall video-producing are amazing, now you're telling us that you made the music as well!? Man, how long will it take to be at your level 👏🏻

[@RobertJongkees]

That was so inspirational. It set my mind to think about music in a different way. Especially coz I am in the process of learning more about video, audio and settings a mood for it to match with a story. Just recently discovered you on KZbin and am a fan of you almost instantly.

[@victorweizhang]

Thanks for sharing Johnny! I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of mismatching music to tone, the way you compose your videos using a mix of narrative and music is great! It inspires me to create more narrative in my own work.

[@logi5869]

I love your description of inspiration as allowing you to see something that doesn't exist. I've definitely heard songs that instantly created video intro in my head, or watched a video that allowed me to visualize an entire App, or had a dream that let me see myself giving a particular speech. Then comes the scramble to get the idea down into a less fleeting format so I can attempt to make that vision of the future a reality.

[@Loagun]

100% same. Im currently making a documentary and it's taking longer then i had planned but there are segments which requires the right music to 'inspire' the scene and emotions that will be felt by the viewer have to be right. The right music transcends the story from then screen into the viewers own experience. But it has to be the right music.

[@VulcanTrekkie45]

I had a similar experience when I was in London about 10 years ago. It was early on a February morning and it was cloudy and slightly foggy as I was getting on a boat on the Thames. It was the weekend so the city was still pretty quiet, and the song "Martha Triumphant" from Doctor Who came on my iPod. And it just seemed so perfect for the setting I found myself in. To this day I still associate it with London mornings.

[@RyanJuliano]

Im so grateful you’ve put this great info out for free. Thank you Johnny!

[@basso2012]

Oh wow that’s so cool! Love to see your entire process 🙌🏼

[@VemueZ]

Johnny Harris, i'm not gonna lie. You're among the top educational creators on KZbin!

[@jeancarlosmartinezmoreyra7737]

Hey, I'm from Peru and I'm so happy that you've been here.

[@TKstorytw]

As a music video director turned KZbinr of course I realized the power of music....I wonder if musicbed is as expensive as before after the free trial as it was hella expensive the last time I checked...anyways after your video I'm finally going back to their website...I never thought "thinking" was a category but it makes alot of sense now that you mention it

[@derekma7643]

Making videos for work and finding Nuggets of gold in this video. Thanks Johnny!

[@cadofinance743]

Johnny, I started my KZbin about 10 months ago - and I already feel like I've made a lot of progress since then. But since recently finding you, my inspiration & ideas have skyrocketed. Thank you!

[@alexsimmonds4692]

The whole thinking Vs feeling idea for music has opened my eyes to a whole new way or story telling and ways to go through life in general

[@ghanshyamsingh3653]

LOVED THE VIDEO...SO NEEDED THAT EXPLAINATION...WITNESSED IT A HUNDRED TIMES BUT NOW I KNOW IT....INSPIRATIONAL INDEED AND BY YOUR MEANING OF INSPIRATION!!! FOR STORYTELLERS THIS DETAIL IS THE BIBLE AS I UNDERSTOOD AND THANX AGAIN!!!

[@_shi9461]

Go back and forth between thinking and feeling. Really inspiring !

[@akatascarlet]

Thank you so much. This will definitely be very helpful.

[@ItsmeIsaac]

I feel kinda guilty of liking this video before it even starts🤣🤣 but I mean u know it’s gon be a good video 🥵🥵🥵

[@Jem_Apple]

I always like videos before watching & if I don’t like it, I Change it to a dislike. Liking videos helps out the creators so I always try to leave one.

[@TheContrariann]

Johnny bro, you should launch an exhaustive, comprehensive course on KZbin video making/ documentary making/ vlooging / mapping / music/ score /story telling / script writing/ perspectives and paradigms shifting/ hooking-holding-waving-delivery in story/ narrative, etc stuff. That'd be a fun project.

[@InsideCorporatePlaybook]

As a person who finished music school on piano class, I 100% understand your vision on how music influences your mood and your story that you wanna tell.

[@petarnikolic8663]

When you introduced the idea of feeling vs thinking... I stopped listening when the feeling music played, then instantly focused when the thinking music played. That was cool.

[@NyelCamilon]

Thanks for these tips Johnny! Filipino Dyslexic Architect fan here from London

[@kurtgilbertson]

Tip 1 is like so obvious but so underrated. The first video I created publicly last week was purely this scenario. Listening to epidemic on shuffle at the park with my dog and heard a song and boom ran with it. Music is like the combustion of fuel to get the creative rocket off the ground. You burn most of it there but once your airborne there’s no stopping you. Thanks for this video man.

[@alexarory]

This reminds me of Iz’s series of “Ugghhh I hate this but it’s super useful”

[@moufahamokioa]

The intro about inspiration was so profound and insightful. It changed me. seriously.

[@thelitterateman]

God damn it. Is there anything you're not perfect at!

[@LeahandLevi]

Damn our musical tastes are very similar. Every one of my videos is taken from a genre called something like "electronic chill beats" or something like that lol

[@fernandoroque]

Man, i always feel so focused and entertained with your videos, now i understand a bit more on how you do it! Just amazing work, keep up!

[@barbramtz]

I admire you a lot, I learn a lot with you! Thank you for your videos.

[@johnwells1015]

Music is eternal and transcends all of space and time.

[@Sunshine-su7jj]

Ave Maria by Vavilov is probably my favorite 'rendition' of Ave Maria. It's so surreal and in a way, ethereal, but it's a very modern song contrasting to its operatic and hymn style, which we associate with the classical and angelic songs that were sung 300 years ago, but this was written around the 1970s which is crazy to me. This song really just slows down time and holds your breath for a second.

[@mikemurphy80]

This video gave me some ideas on things to think about when adding music to my projects. I have been binging some of these videos and noticed how music added a lot to the final result. Sometimes very suddenly and other times with a lot of impact

[@austinwebb8567]

2 minutes in and I know this whole video will be a stellar creation of power through word and music. Mad props

[@zen-ventzi-marinov]

Software developer here, trying to explore my story-telling and less logical, more creative side of me. Nice channel, thanks. I rarely sit through the whole video that is about things that are not important to me, but there is something in the way you present/tell/share the info in your vids that makes me want to stay.

[@warbler1984]

You should have your own line of orange jackets

[@shirsenduadak7347]

After I noticed that this video is almost 18 minutes long and about only 'music', decided to skip and watch the piece, instead, ended up watching for the entire duration with a sense wonder. You such a legend Johnny! ❤️🙏⚡

[@XavierLeong]

This is so funny, I always love your music choices and I am editing a video right now and trying to find a good song for it and I went to your channel to look through old videos and see how you use music and you've just uploaded this!! Perfect timing

[@joao13soares]

What you explain here (using music to active parts of your audience's brains to match with the displayed content) is probably the main reason that makes me watch your videos until the very end. Not saying that the content itself isn't good enough but the music helps to not get bored regardless of the content. And finding out that some of that music is really produced by you is a cool fact.

[@killuazoldyckhunter]

this felt like a masterclass

[@BenjaminJ]

This the best video of really simplifying the explanation of the best use of music. Thank you 🙏

[@noemiolesiak9311]

I'm not a person who does videos or anything like that but I think all of this will help me more consciously choose what music I listen to. Sometimes it matters more to choose sth specific like when you study or you're in a bad mood and stuff. Music can help but i usually chose it by instinct and it doesn't always work. But i think i can adapt this feeling vs thinking music to my playlists and favorite artists and use this knowledge in this moment when I'm lost. Thank you

[@freedomseeker8607]

this guy is simply the BEST KZbinR. no doubt

[@laybosh6626]

This is the video I needed to watch. I always (even though I only made 2 videos as of now) struggle to choose the right music for my video. Thank you so much for this. I can totally feel the though process underneath.

[@TheTays]

Man, this really hit the heart, and the mind. You just get it. And tip 1 was what I needed to get over, to even start our very first family vlog. So much appreciation for that Johnny! -Jonny.

[@fernandopicozzi]

This was an extremely valuable content, man! You changed my perspective, thank you!

[@geraldvincentt]

Dude you inspired me so much! Thank you for this!

[@thisricardopalma]

You cannot answer because you have thinking about it! If you stop your thinking for a bit and feel, maybe then you can find the answer... With your mind you are going round in circles...

[@llcn829]

This is such an insight into how your videos make me feel something. What a treat to see your process.

[@s_tv2312]

Without a doubt the Johny is the best filmaker in the KZbin community

[@cadestuart4880]

Gosh dang it, even playing the “emotional music” outside of an emotional context hit me 😂

[@ihavemetnate]

This is such a great video. Super duper practical, so many tools to utilise. I really appreciate this video and I respect your work. ✌🏻

[@izzyn718]

Absolutely amazing job Johnny! I genuinely feel the imaginary dots connecting in my head 😂 inspiration comes in many forms and for me, it’s you and Iz 🙏🏼🔥

[@JS44444]

I appreciate this video. This is how I find inspiration for the stories I write. I turn on some feely music and the story tells itself in my head. Maybe I’ll need to start introducing some thinking music in between that.

[@McVet3]

Hey, how you brought you thinking music back in towards the end was brilliant obviously. Your videos are art. I’m a writer poet dreamer former homeless junkie veteran who won’t be killed. I finally have some say again in weather I’ll live longer. So I’ve always been a feeler. But my thinking didn’t know it yet. Anyway come to the new year’s parade in Philly and the red carpet is your guy’s I see some of your vision I’m just catching up. I was a Sr in high school when 9/11…. I didn’t progress for 18 years…. But I’m still here. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🤝🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@egukin]

you are incredible at explaining things about the creative process. those are often extremely hard to put into words, let alone mixed media. please tell more!

[@isaiahstomp5684]

Definitely my favorite content creator on KZbin!

[@shanegermany5803]

Awesome video Johnny, after this video, i can really see how photography, drone usage and music come together so well to show ur true talents as the person you are, keep up the great work. Plus you make and explain things so simple and in a informative manner that everyone watching gets what your tryng to explain, many thanks.

[@moonhwi3754]

i wish your channel were bigger, honestly, you and your wife are one of the single most inspring content creators i look up to as a media student.

[@bogxd]

This is actually so good

[@innaandrusiv375]

This is AMAZING ! Thank you for sharing your inspiration ❤🎉

[@AhmadAbdelAziz77]

Loved the way you broke down music into two categories. Thank you for your insights. Yes, everything you said made perfect sense.

[@carltonpenaloza1395]

Johnny is a true renaissance man

[@Abdulaziz2003]

very nice video. I will try and implement all you said into my own work. I especially like the "mentally tired" piece you said. Where you change gears when you feel the viewer is just starting to get overwhelmed with information and how you then play some "feel" music to let them mentally rest a bit.

[@rodrigoborgia5288]

Man, you inspire me with every single video you upload. Big thank you!

[@CalmScapeTV]

I know the Johnny Harris, I watch his videos but the timing of suggestion this video. Thank you Yotube Algorithm and Johnny Harris

[@sierrareed11]

So cool. I never thought about the "thinking" and "feeling" categories with music. So fun to learn about storytelling with you as an upcoming artist