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..

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 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.

Wanting to display their tattoos to the max, most musicians will undoubtedly wear them on the parts of their bodies most visble while performing. For an instrumentalist, this most likely translates as 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. One need not, however, restrict one’s tattoos in this vein to the common forms of notation most frequently seen today. {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. The fields of music is traditionally a free spirited, open system which allows a high degree of personal expression and as such the tattoos worn by many musicians today have evolved from the simpler India ink line tattoos to the highly stylized and greatly detailed, colorful art pieces we see today.

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