Perhaps it’s because of the creative nature of the musician, or maybe their independent attitude, but they have long been seen with some of the most finely drawn and often shocking tattoos you will see..
Music note tattoos, tattoos of instruments and artwork that commemorate particular performances have long remained the chosen images among this subculture.
In general, you will find that musicians tend to choose tattoos that relate most closely to the particular style to which they are accepted This means that a lot of black, skulls and other over-the-line symbolism is usually found on the hard rockers and that the hip-hop crowd tends toward highly decorataive letteringand other characteristic symbols of urban culture.
Performers as they are, musicians will usually choose to display their tattoos on areas of their bodies most visible while they are performing. For those who play instruments, this usually means the arms. Since the fans are going to be drawn to the musician’s body movements, it would seem that this choice is a very good one to display the artwork, music note tattoos often being some of those most proudly shown. Of course, some performers are notable for wearing less clothing than others and this certainly allows for more displaying of one’s artwork.
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.
You will also find that calligraphic tattooing is also a popular theme with musicians, besides the emblematic music note tattoos you will see passages and lines from their favorite music or poetry, linking them more closely together. Oftentimes, a musician’s music note tattoos serve the same purpose as many other people’s tattoos: They identify that individual as a member of a special part of society; an individual who possesses a particular skill and occupation which few can boast.
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}.
Western musical notation goes back to medeival times and early versions were created to record Gregorian chants. Some of these visuals are totally exquisite, revealing something special about the individual wearing it. And then, of course, there are the non-Western systems which are a totally different visual, some of which are graphically perfect for body art.
Musicians will likely always be among the most tattooed individuals in society. 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.
Whether it’s on the arms, on the chest or even on the head, musicians are oftentimes the vanguards of new tattoo styles.
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