Music Tattoo Ideas: 7 Designs for Our Musicians

Music has always been a source of inspiration and expression for people worldwide, and it's no wonder that many music enthusiasts choose to express their passion through body art. Music-themed tattoos have become increasingly popular over the years, offering a way for musicians and fans to showcase their love for music and their favorite band.

In recent years we’ve especially seen a noticeable rise in face tattoos on artists, though even those aren’t anything new. From instrument-inspired designs to lyrics and album art, the possibilities for music-themed tattoos are endless, which might make coming up with a design a bit daunting.

In this article, we will explore a variety of music tattoo ideas to inspire musicians and music enthusiasts alike to create and properly maintain a meaningful and beautiful tattoo design!

The Importance of Researching Your Artist First

Researching your tattoo artist before getting a tattoo is important to ensure they are experts in your desired style. Different tattoo artists specialize in different styles, and it's important to find someone with experience and skill in the specific style you're looking for, whether American-traditional, black and white, realistic, or another. This can help ensure the tattoo is done correctly and looks how you want it to.

Researching your artist can help you feel more comfortable and confident about getting a tattoo. By looking at their portfolio, reading reviews, and talking to other clients, you can understand their experience, professionalism, and artistic style. You can make an informed decision about who to trust with your tattoo.

7 Tattoo Designs for Musicians

1. Musical Instruments

Musical instruments offer a wide range of possibilities for music-themed tattoo designs. Guitar, piano, and drum tattoos are popular choices for music lovers and musicians, but you could go with any instrument that you adore the sound or shape of.

These tattoos can be designed in various styles, from realistic to abstract, and can be incorporated into larger designs or sleeves, making them super versatile. Some people get tattoos of their instruments, while others choose a particular instrument to symbolize their love for music!

A tattoo of a musical instrument can represent the joy and passion that music brings to a person's life and can serve as a reminder of the power of music to inspire and move us.

2. Musical Equipment

Musical equipment tattoos can also include designs of items like microphones, mixing boards, tapes, and headphones. These designs can showcase the beauty and intricacy of these tools of the trade behind the scenes and can be a great option for those who work in the music industry or are passionate about music production.

A microphone tattoo, for example, could feature a detailed rendering of the classic Shure SM7B, a staple in personal and professional studios. A mixing board tattoo could showcase the various sliders, knobs, and faders that make up the board, while a tape tattoo could feature the intricate details of a cassette tape!

3. Lyrics

Song lyrics are a great source of inspiration for tattoo designs and are vast when it comes to how many options you have. Lyrics offer a way for the artist and, by extension, the listener, the ability to express personal values, experiences, and emotions through music.

From inspiring quotes to powerful choruses, endless options exist for incorporating lyrics into a meaningful and beautiful tattoo design. People often choose lyrics that have a deep personal significance, speak to a particular moment or experience, or simply sound awesome.

These tattoos can be designed in various fonts and styles and placed in different areas of the body. A tattoo of song lyrics can be a constant reminder of the power of music to inspire and uplift us.

4. Musical Symbols

There are a variety of symbols that can be used in music-themed tattoo designs, whether you’re an expert in music theory or not. Musical notes and symbols such as treble clefs or bass clefs, and quarter notes are popular choices and can be designed in a variety of styles and sizes.

People may also choose to incorporate symbols from specific genres of music, such as rock, jazz, or hip-hop, such as tablature of a power chord or hand signs from your favorite hip-hop group. A tattoo of a music symbol can represent a person's love for music and the important role it plays in their life.

5. Album Art

Album art covers provide a rich source of inspiration for music-themed tattoo designs. Many people choose to get tattoos of their favorite albums or bands, incorporating the album art into their design as this type of tattoo can be a great way to show appreciation for a particular band or album. They can be a conversation starter for other music enthusiasts.

You could get the album art directly as it appears on the album or have your artist create a stylized version of the imagery.

6. Artist Portrait

A portrait tattoo of a musician or artist can be a beautiful tribute to someone who has significantly impacted your life. However, portraits can be difficult to pull off, especially when it’s a well-known celebrity.

That means it's particularly important to choose an experienced artist who has a strong portfolio of realistic portrait tattoos so that the likeness of the person being tattooed is accurately captured.

Before getting a portrait tattoo, consider the size and placement of the tattoo, as well as the style in which it will be executed. To get the right level of detail, portraits can’t be too small or they’ll quickly fade to a smudge if not adequately moisturized and cared for.

A portrait tattoo can be a very personal and emotional experience, so take the time to carefully choose the artist and design to ensure that it is a meaningful and long-lasting tribute to the person being commemorated.

7. Abstract Band Homage

Creating an abstract band tattoo incorporating imagery from the band's lyrics and overall tone can be a personalized way to pay tribute to your favorite musicians without using imagery that everyone else could have. Listen to their music and analyze the lyrics for recurring themes, imagery, or symbols. Consider their music's general mood and tone and use that as inspiration for the design.

For example, a tattoo inspired by Radiohead could include imagery related to technology and society, such as circuitry or a dystopian cityscape. Use color and texture to evoke the band's sound and style, and the result should be a unique and meaningful design that captures the essence of the band without using their name or album art!

Tip #1: Focus on Personalization

Music is universal, and while there isn’t anything wrong with getting a tattoo that isn’t overwhelmingly “unique,” it helps ensure that the design is personal and unique to you! This is because, while it can be tempting to choose a popular symbol or design, a personally meaningful tattoo you don’t see on many others will have a much greater impact over time.

This can involve choosing lyrics or symbols that have a special significance in your life or incorporating a personal message or tribute to a favorite musician, album, or song. By creating a personalized music tattoo, you can ensure that it will be a lasting expression of your love for music and a reflection of your individuality.

Tip #2: Caution When it Comes to Band Tattoos

Designing a tattoo around a band or musician can be a great way to show your appreciation for their art and influence on your life. However, it's important to be careful when doing so, as the actions or statements of the band or musician may change over time.

And not always in a pleasant way. If a musician comes out with controversial statements or aligns themselves with something offensive, having a tattoo associated with them can be difficult to deal with. We aren’t saying, “don’t get that tattoo,” or that your favorite artist will say something terrible down the road, it’s just important to consider the potential for change.

There is a possibility that your feelings towards the band or musician may change over time when designing a tattoo around them.

How Do I Care for a New Music Tattoo?

Proper before and after care ensures your music tattoo heals properly and looks its best. After getting a music tattoo, your tattoo artist will likely give you specific instructions for caring for it, but there are some general guidelines to follow as well.

These include keeping the tattoo clean and dry, avoiding swimming or soaking the tattoo for the first few weeks, and applying a healing ointment or lotion to moisturize the skin.

It's also important to avoid picking or scratching the tattoo, as this can damage the skin and cause the tattoo to fade or become infected. By following these aftercare tips, you can help ensure your music tattoo looks vibrant and beautiful for years to come.

In Conclusion

Music-themed tattoos are a great way to express your love for music and its role in your life. Whether you incorporate musical instruments, song lyrics, symbols, or album art into your design, a music-themed tattoo can be a lasting and meaningful expression of your style and tastes.

As with any tattoo, it is important to choose a personal and unique design and find a reputable and experienced tattoo artist who can bring your vision to life. With the right design and artist, a music-themed tattoo can be an awesome tribute to the songs that inspire you!

Source:

The History of Face Tattoos | Underground

SM57 on Steroids- The SM7B Story | SHURE

Learning Treble Clef | Music Theory