Music has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joyful to sorrowful to nostalgic.
Though we all have different tastes, music is one thing that most on this planet have some sort of love for. Music is such a dynamic and dominant force globally; what better way to showcase your appreciation than with a music tattoo?
Music tattoos are not only for musicians; any music appreciator can get an excellent music tattoo. If you’ve been thinking of adding some new ink, check out these 35 music tattoos for men who feel the beat.
1. MUSIC NOTE TATTOO
Music note tattoos are the perfect way for a musician or composer to pay tribute to his craft. Ranging from simple black notes to more intricate pieces featuring an entire composition, men have many different options in designing this specific music tattoo.
2. MUSIC SYMBOL TATTOO
If you look for something bigger and more detailed, music symbols tattoos can be combined with other music-related images or notes, or they can be left as-is for a more minimalist look.
3. SMALL MUSIC TATTOO
From a simple note to the title of your favorite song, small music tattoos are not difficult to accomplish. Small music tattoos allow you to get inked in more creative places, such as on your finger or even behind your ear.
4. SHEET MUSIC TATTOO
Sheet music tattoos are versatile. They can either be the centerpiece of a tattoo or act as a background to a more detailed image. Remember that a sheet music tattoo might need to be a bit larger due to the shape and intricacy necessary for the tattoo.
5. UNIQUE MUSIC TATTOO
From song lyrics, your favorite band to strange tattoos, you can design various kinds of unique music tattoos to suit your personal preferences and needs perfectly. If you are particularly attached to a specific band or artist, another unique music tattoo idea is to get the band’s logo or picture tattooed.
6. MUSIC IS LIFE TATTOO
If music truly is your life, what better way to show it than with a “music is life” tattoo? If you’d like to get creative with it, pick a special font that pays tribute to your favorite band or artist.
7. HEART MUSIC NOTE TATTOO
Looking for an easy way to take a regular music note tattoo to the next level? Intertwine a heart for a more detailed piece. Also, if you want a music tattoo that is a bit more animated, integrating a heart into your music note tattoo is a creative option that is both subtle and sweet.
8. MUSIC STAFF TATTOO
Similar to a sheet music tattoo, music staff tattoos give you the option to add your favorite song chorus or bridge to your body. Depending on how big you would like your tattoo to be, music staff tattoos are unique and dynamic, allowing you to do something personal.
9. MUSIC HEART TATTOO
If you have a deep-rooted love for music, hearts are a great addition to any music-centered ink. Whether you want to integrate an anatomical heart into the design or a heart shape, the options for you to discuss with your artist.
10. MUSIC QUOTES TATTOO
From your favorite song lyric to an inspirational quote by your favorite musician, music quote tattoos allow you to imprint your body with words of inspiration permanently.
11. MUSIC BOX TATTOO
Though it is unconventional, music box tattoos embrace a more artistic and nostalgic approach to showcasing your love and passion for music. If this is the route you choose to go, we would recommend going for something a bit more realistic and shaded rather than animated to cultivate a more elegant and detailed image.
12. MUSIC HEARTBEAT TATTOO
Music heartbeat tattoos tend to consist of a music symbol followed by a specific heartbeat rhythm. In some music heartbeat tattoos, the music symbol falls in the middle of the heartbeat to say that music lies at the center of one’s existence or life.
13. MUSIC SIGN TATTOO
Music sign tattoos can consist of anything from notes to symbols to sheets. Anything that is a sign or symbol in music is up for grabs with this one.
14. MUSIC CITY TATTOO
From a city skyline with a guitar included in the outline to a tattoo of music-centered city skylines such as Nashville, New York, or Los Angeles, music city tattoos are a unique way to pay tribute to the beauty of sound the cities that inspire them.
15. ROSE AND MUSIC NOTE TATTOO
A music note and rose tattoo should satisfy if you are looking for something more detailed than a basic note. This tattoo idea is versatile; make sure to discuss any other options with your tattoo artist.
16. TRADITIONAL MUSIC TATTOO
Traditional music tattoos can include anything from a record player to an old-school microphone. If you want to add a bit of funk and flair, try adding a splash of color for a more eye-catching element. You can also incorporate American traditional style into your image of choice, opting for thick, defined lines and bold colors.
17. SOUND OF MUSIC TATTOO
From “do-re-mi” to the Swiss mountains as a backdrop to your favorite character or scene, a Sound of Music tattoo pays tribute to the iconic movie that sparked a passion in nearly every generation that has watched it.
18. SCATTERED MUSIC NOTES TATTOO
If you want to create a more abstract tattoo, scattering music notes across pretty much any part of the body will get the job done. Try starting on one corner of your selected area with smaller music notes and have the notes grow larger as the tattoo covers more ground.
19. VINTAGE MICROPHONE TATTOO
Vintage microphone tattoos give major Johnny Cash vibes and are perfect for the vintage-styled man. In fact, if you’re going to get a vintage microphone tattoo, you’ll want to make sure that your style is up to par in order to pull off such a sleek piece of ink.
20. HEADPHONES TATTOO
Looking for something more modern? Headphone tattoos truly have the millennial touch when it comes to music tattoo ideas. Create an old vs. new tattoo with a vintage microphone and headphones, or design a DJ tattoo to suit your style.
21. PIANO TATTOO
Though it requires a decent amount of detailing, a full piano tattoo is a very classy piece of ink, especially for someone who knows their way around the instrument.
22. GUITAR TATTOO
If you want a music tattoo that requires more detail and artistic talent, guitar tattoos require precision, resulting in the most stunning or artwork. Guitar tattoos can be done either realistically or more playful, depending on your style and choice. They also give you a nice opportunity to add a pop of color if you’d like to step away from the typical black and white tattoo.
23. TRUMPET TATTOO
From paying tribute to your high school band days to embracing your appreciation for jazz, trumpet tattoos are not common to come by.
24. BAND LOGOS TATTOO
No matter who your favorite band is, there is nothing more fun than getting a logo tattooed on your body if you are a die-hard fan. Getting a Band tattoo is a great way to show your unwavering love of your favorite band.
25. PIANO KEYS TATTOO
Classic black and white piano keys pay tribute to the universal love for music more traditionally and gracefully. From doing a small set of keys along the finger to doing a larger piece across the arm or chest, piano key tattoos fit nicely in various locations.
26. CASSETTE TAPE TATTOO
Lovers of all things vintage will truly appreciate the unique charm of a cassette tape tattoo. Create an everlasting mix-tape of your choice or choose one of your favourite artist, this tattoo idea is increadly easy to personalize.
27. PLAYLIST TATTOO
Consisting of a fast forward button, a pause button, a play button, and a rewind button, playlist tattoos are minimalistic yet playful, ideal for secret meanings or as an homage to your love of music.
BEST PLACEMENT OPTIONS FOR MUSIC TATTOOS
28. MUSIC TATTOO SLEEVE
Music tattoo sleeves are perfect for those who have a lot of artwork that they would like to showcase. Whether you want to create one large scene or prefer to have a bunch of separate tattoos in one similar area, music tattoo sleeves are not for the faint of heart.
29. MUSIC NOTE TATTOO BEHIND EAR
Looking to add a truly tiny tattoo that embodies your music appreciation? Add a small music note tattoo behind the ear. Though it is subtle, it will certainly catch the right eye.
30. MUSIC FOREARM TATTOO
The forearm is a fun place for a music tattoo due to its slight yet long stretch of skin. Music forearm tattoos can range from sheet music pieces to song lyrics, though the forearm is not the best place to have any sort of bulky or thick tattoo.
31. MUSIC TATTOO ARM
From a sheet music piece to a wrap-around music staff tattoo, music tattoos on the arm are versatile and masculine. If you’d like a more simple music note or symbol tattoo on the larger side, the arm is a great option due to its shape and size.
32. WRIST MUSIC TATTOO
Wrist music tattoos are both fun and subtle for smaller tattoos, though you can’t do anything too detailed given the smaller size. If you want a small song title or music note tattoo, the wrist is a great spot.
33. MUSIC NOTE NECK TATTOO
Whether you want it behind your ear or more front and center, music note neck tattoos are edgy and daring. Since smaller tattoos look best on the neck, music notes are perfect for this simple yet fun addition. You could also play with a design that features multiple music notes on the neck if you are into a more filled design.
34. MUSIC HALF SLEEVE TATTOO
Music half sleeve tattoos are a wonderful way to combine an abundance of music-related tattoos into one cohesive scene. A half sleeve gives you the room and freedom to get creative and truly express your love for music without bound but still keep space to add more later or place the tattoos where they can be hidden.
35. MUSIC HAND TATTOO
Previously, musicians had cornered the market on hand tattoos. In the last decade with tattoos becoming more accepted in mainstream society hand tattoos of all kinds are flourishing. Music hand tattoos fit the bill by being trendy yet edgy enough for the more off-the-beaten-path kind of guy.
MUSIC TATTOO FAQ:
WHAT DOES A MUSIC NOTE TATTOO MEAN?
A music note tattoo can mean anything the wearer wants it to, however, most commonly it means that person has a deeper connection to music. Music note tattoos can also mean that the person is a composer, musician, lover of music or involved in the actual production of music.
WHAT DOES A MUSIC SIGN TATTOO MEAN?
Similar to a music note tattoo, music sign tattoos exemplify one’s devotion to music and potentially even the creation of music. Since notes and signs are more technical than other music tattoo ideas, they are an excellent option for those who know about making music and the industry.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC TATTOO SHOULD A MAN GET?
Get a music tattoo that you feel connected to. It could be your favorite band or instrument or something small to represent your dedication to the craft. The best part is there are no wrong answers.
