Zoom has rapidly become a household name, thanks to the rising demand for virtual communication. While video and voice are paramount, sometimes, you might want to set the mood with some music. Fortunately, Zoom allows you to play music during meetings, adding a touch of ambiance or entertainment. In this article, we’ll uncover the various methods on how to play music on Zoom. So, whether you’re hosting a virtual party, teaching an online dance class, or just wanting to share a song, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
How to Play Background Music on Zoom
Background music can enhance the atmosphere of any Zoom meeting, whether it’s a virtual team-building event, a birthday celebration, or a professional webinar. Playing music in the background helps set the mood and can make sessions more engaging. Here’s how you can seamlessly incorporate background music into your Zoom sessions:
- Share Computer Sound:
- Begin your Zoom meeting as the host.
- Click on the ‘Share Screen’ button situated in your meeting toolbar.
- At the bottom of the ‘Share Screen’ window, you’ll notice an option labeled ‘Share computer sound.’ Ensure this box is checked. By enabling this, whatever audio plays on your computer will be audible to your Zoom attendees.
- Without selecting any specific window to share, click on ‘Share.’ This will ensure that only your computer’s audio is shared and not the display.
- Play music using your favorite media player on your computer. The audio will be broadcasted to your Zoom attendees in the background.
- Integrate Music Apps with Zoom:
- Some dedicated apps integrate with Zoom to provide background music. Applications like ‘Zoom Music’ or ‘Backdrop for Zoom’ have curated playlists and sounds specifically designed for online meetings. After installing such apps, follow their guidelines to play background tunes directly into your Zoom sessions.
- Optimize Audio Settings for Music:
- In Zoom, go to ‘Settings’ and then to the ‘Audio’ tab.
- Click on ‘Advanced’ at the bottom right.
- Enable ‘Music Mode.’ This optimizes Zoom’s audio settings to prioritize music, providing clearer and more dynamic sound to your participants.
- Using Streaming Services:
- You can also use streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music. Just open the platform, select your playlist, and play.
- Make sure you’ve enabled ‘Share computer sound’ in Zoom so that participants can hear the music.
- Volume Considerations:
- Remember, background music should complement, not overpower, the main content. Adjust the volume of your music player so that it’s audible but not distracting. If you’re speaking or presenting, the music should be low enough to ensure clarity.
- Respect Copyrights:
- If you’re recording your Zoom sessions or broadcasting them to a larger audience, be aware of music copyrights. Use royalty-free music or get the necessary permissions to avoid potential issues.
Incorporating background music can make a world of difference in virtual engagements. Knowing how to play background music on Zoom effectively can elevate the experience for all participants, making your meetings, events, or presentations more memorable and enjoyable.
How to Play Music on Zoom Without Sharing Screen
Sometimes, you might want to share a musical moment with your participants without revealing what’s on your screen. This can be especially useful when you need to maintain the focus on the discussion or presentation while adding an audio touchpoint. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play music on Zoom without sharing your screen:
- Setting Up Audio Sharing:
- Start your Zoom meeting as usual.
- Navigate to the meeting toolbar, which is typically at the bottom of the Zoom window.
- Click on the ‘Share Screen’ button. This will open a new window displaying various options for screen sharing.
- At the bottom of this new window, you will find an option labeled ‘Share computer sound.’ Ensure this box is checked. This setting allows the audio from your computer to be shared with your participants without necessarily sharing the visual content on your screen.
- Sharing Without a Screen:
- After ensuring the ‘Share computer sound’ box is checked, you can proceed without selecting any specific application or window to share. Just click on the ‘Share’ button.
- With this action, you have activated audio sharing without displaying your screen. Now, any sound or music that plays on your computer will be heard by the participants in the Zoom meeting.
- Playing Your Music:
- With the audio-sharing mode activated, play music from your preferred application or platform. Whether you’re using Spotify, Apple Music, VLC, or any other player, the music will stream directly into the Zoom call without your screen being visible to participants.
- Adjusting the Music Volume:
- It’s essential to ensure that the music volume is at an appropriate level. The music should be audible to participants but not so loud that it becomes disruptive. Adjust the volume on your media player to find a suitable balance.
- Ending the Audio Share:
- Once you’re done playing the music or if you wish to revert to a regular discussion without background music, navigate to the top of the Zoom window. Here, you’ll find a red button labeled ‘Stop Share.’ Clicking on this will end the audio-sharing mode, and your Zoom session will return to its regular state.
- Remembering Etiquette:
- Before playing music, especially in a formal or professional setting, inform your participants. This ensures everyone is on the same page and avoids any disruptions.
By following these steps, you can enhance your Zoom sessions with music, creating a more engaging and interactive experience. Whether you’re setting a mood, providing background music for breaks, or enhancing a presentation, understanding how to play music on Zoom without sharing your screen is a valuable tool in your virtual communication toolkit.
How to Play Music on Zoom Meeting
Incorporating music into your Zoom meeting can set the tone for your session, make breaks more enjoyable, or add an element of entertainment. Playing music during a Zoom meeting is a straightforward process, and understanding how to do it effectively can greatly improve your virtual gatherings. Here’s a guide on how to play music on a Zoom meeting:
- Using Screen Sharing:
- Start or join your scheduled Zoom meeting.
- Look for the ‘Share Screen’ button, usually located in the meeting toolbar.
- Clicking on this button will bring up various screen sharing options. Choose the window or application where your preferred music player or streaming service is open.
- Before you click ‘Share’, ensure the ‘Share computer sound’ option is checked. This will guarantee that your music plays smoothly and is audible to all participants.
- Once you’ve selected the appropriate window and checked the sound option, click ‘Share’ and then play your music from the chosen application.
- Play Music Without Screen Sharing:
- If you’d rather not share your screen while playing music, simply follow the process mentioned in the previous section about playing music on Zoom without sharing your screen. Essentially, you’ll check the ‘Share computer sound’ box without selecting any window to share, and then play your music.
- Optimizing Audio for Music Playback:
- For optimal sound quality, Zoom offers an ‘Original Sound’ option. This feature allows music to be transmitted in its original quality, providing clearer and richer sound.
- To enable this, click on the ‘Audio Settings’ from the Zoom toolbar, navigate to the ‘Advanced’ section, and enable ‘Original Sound.’
- Once activated, you’ll see an ‘Original Sound’ button in the meeting toolbar, which you can toggle on before playing music.
- Respecting Copyright and Permissions:
- If you’re playing music in a public meeting or a session that will be recorded and shared, ensure you have the right permissions for the tracks you intend to play. Avoid potential copyright infringement by using royalty-free music or getting necessary licenses.
- Controlling Volume and Feedback:
- While the music is playing, keep an ear out for feedback or echo. Using headphones can minimize the chance of feedback.
- Ensure the music volume is at a level that complements the purpose of your meeting. If the music is too loud, it might drown out participants trying to speak. Conversely, if it’s too quiet, it might go unnoticed.
- Get Feedback from Participants:
- It’s always a good idea to check in with your participants about the audio quality. Ask them if they can hear the music clearly and if the volume is comfortable.
Knowing how to play music on a Zoom meeting effectively can significantly enhance the experience for all participants. Whether you’re setting the mood before the meeting officially starts, offering an interactive music quiz, or providing soothing tunes during breaks, the addition of music can make your Zoom sessions more engaging and memorable.
How to Play Spotify Music on Zoom
Spotify is one of the most popular music streaming platforms globally, with millions of songs across various genres. If you want to elevate your Zoom meetings with tracks from Spotify, you’re in luck. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Spotify music on Zoom:
- Open Spotify:
- Before initiating the Zoom meeting, open Spotify on your computer and queue up the songs or playlists you want to share.
- Initiate or Join Your Zoom Meeting:
- Start your scheduled Zoom session or join a meeting as you normally would.
- Prepare to Share Your Screen:
- In the Zoom toolbar, usually located at the bottom, click on the ‘Share Screen’ button.
- A window will pop up displaying various screen sharing options. Before selecting anything, make sure the checkbox for ‘Share computer sound’ is ticked. This ensures that participants will hear the Spotify music clearly.
- Share Spotify:
- In the screen sharing options, select the window where Spotify is open. If you’re using the desktop app, it should show up as a distinct window. If you’re using Spotify Web Player, it should be visible under the browser window.
- Once you’ve selected the appropriate Spotify window, click ‘Share.’
- Play Your Spotify Music:
- With the screen shared and computer sound enabled, anything you play on Spotify will be broadcasted to your Zoom attendees. Play songs, skip tracks, or scroll through playlists as you normally would.
- Optimizing Sound Quality:
- To ensure the best music quality, activate Zoom’s ‘Original Sound’ feature. Head to ‘Audio Settings’ from the Zoom toolbar, go to the ‘Advanced’ section, and enable ‘Original Sound.’
- With ‘Original Sound’ activated, you can toggle it on from the meeting toolbar before playing music.
- Prevent Disruptions:
- If you don’t want meeting participants to speak over the music or cause audio disruptions, consider muting everyone while the music is playing.
- Participants can use the ‘Raise Hand’ feature or the chat function if they want to communicate something during the music session.
- Ending the Music Session:
- Once you’re done with the Spotify music, you can stop screen sharing by clicking the ‘Stop Share’ button on the Zoom toolbar.
- Respect Copyrights:
- While sharing music is great for private gatherings or team meetings, always be cautious when playing copyrighted music in a public or commercial setting. If your Zoom meeting is being recorded or broadcasted, it’s essential to ensure you have the right permissions or licenses for the tracks you’re sharing.
Playing Spotify music on Zoom can make your virtual meetings, events, or hangouts more lively and engaging. Whether it’s setting the mood, taking a music break, or creating a shared listening experience, integrating Spotify with Zoom can add a harmonious touch to your online gatherings.
Conclusion
Music has the power to connect, energize, and set the mood for any event, and incorporating it into your Zoom sessions can truly elevate the virtual experience. Whether you’re setting a relaxed atmosphere, taking a break, or emphasizing a point with a fitting track, understanding how to play music on Zoom can add depth and dynamism to your meetings. From background tunes to full-on listening parties, integrating music is a testament to how versatile and interactive online meetings can be. Always remember to respect copyrights, consider the preferences of your attendees, and ensure audio quality for an optimal experience. With these guidelines in hand, you’re well-equipped to make your Zoom sessions more memorable and harmonious.