Musicians and Music Note Tattoos

Whether it’s part of the rebellious image or a part of their larger inlination towards personal expression, musicians have long been associated with some of the most unusual and strongly visual tattoos around..

Representatiions of their instrument and music note tattoos are favorite subjects for this sub-group. Perhaps these images might relate to one of their most noteworthy events or performances, or maybe to a particular piece which could be their “theme,” but whatever it is you can bet they will likely be one of the most unusual and bold images you are likely to find on skin, anywhere.

Most musicians sport tattoos that rather reflect the genre with which they’re most associated. This means that a lot of black, skulls and other cutting-edge symbolism is usually found on the hard rockers and that the hip-hop crowd tends toward ornate letteringand other characteristic symbols of urban culture.

Most musicians opt to get tattooed in areas where the artwork will be easily visible when they’re on stage. For an instrumentalist, this most likely translates as the arms. As crowds are naturally drawn toward watching the body movements of a performer, this is generally a very logical place to locate one’s most significant artwork and a good way to show off those tattoos, and not only music note tattoos, of which one is the most proud. It goes without saying that some performers are known for wearing less clothing than others, and for these there will obviously be more opportunities to show off more artwork on more parts of their bodies.

As musicians are artistic individuals, they tend toward very ornate designs or adaptations of popular themes which they make all their own. Tribal tattooing, the long, elegant black lines which intertwine around one another, has been very popular with musicians, particularly with the heavy metal and rock crowd.

Besides the music note tattoos,some musicians sport passages from their favorite songs or stanzas from poems with which they strongly identify. Oftentimes, a musician’s music note tattoos serve the same purpose as many other people’s tattoos: They act as an emblem, a sort of private badge which shows that this person is a member of a special group and who has certain skills and abilities which allows them to wear this symbol.

Music note tattoos have always been popular. But that doesn’t mean one has to confine themself to using the modern styles of musical notation. {There have been various systems used throughout the ages and, oftentimes, these systems present an elegant alternative to the norm. Over the centuries that music has been notated, many different systems have arisen and disappeared, but many are still known and are quite graphically striking, offering very unusual alternatives of style}.

The notation used in early western music, for instance, evokes the ancient cathedrals where monks practiced Gregorian chant and can be transformed into a work of art that communicates a great deal about the individual who bears it. Eastern systems also produce some striking graphic possibilities and you will also find that some of these are chosen to express some personal intent.

Of all groups wearing tattoos, it is likely that musicians will always be among those most likely to excel. Their occupation allows them almost complete freedom in this regard and while the tattoos musicians bear have evolved from simple India ink line tattoos to very detailed and colorful works of art, the association of the ancient practices of tattoo art and music will likely always be intertwined in some way.

Wherever a musician may choose to display their tattoos, one thing is for ceertain: it is likely to be unusual, creative, noticable and unique.