Tattoos...

[lolelemental]

Hey Escapists!

I'm currently studying music and hoping to eventually be a High school Music Teacher, and recently I had this idea for a tattoo covering the front and backs of both arms made up of various bits of music symbols and theory (stuff like scales, key signatures, note values etc).

I'm not getting it done until after I finish my Batchelor of Music from University (at least 3-4 years) so I most likely wont be needing it for cheating purposes, but I think that it would be a nice little statement across my arms that I am 100% in love with music and I'm more than willing to help anyone understand it.

Any input on why/why not I should get it done, and what else I should include on the design would be great

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

I think it would make for a great tat! You obviously love music and wanna share it with other, why not show that love? I have to tell you though the pain might get to you. My friend had one done on the back of his arms and he said it was painful. Guess it depends on your pain threshold though.
Oh and welcome to the club!

 

[CrashBang]

Designing a tattoo is a major annoyance. I've got a half sleeve of a pirate ship, shark, waves, sunset and more. It was such a pain in the ass to get it right and, recently, a mate of mine got a similar thing done and I prefer his to mine which sucks

Anyway, it sounds like an awesome idea but you might wanna jazz it up a bit. You'll probably need a background of colour to make the symbols pop. What instrument do you play? You could have somthing in the sleeve related to the instrument, maybe. E.g. I play drums and was always tempted to have something like a skull and cross-drumsticks

 

[EmzOLV]

Designing a tattoo is a major annoyance.

Ditto this! I spent over a year designing one which I'm still not yet happy with. But soon, I just need to get the music notation the right size that I'm happy with.

I say this sounds like a great idea, as long as you are totally definitely sure you want it may I also add that my friend who is a drummer has on his sleeve a snare drum with sticks and it hasn't come out awfully well, in fact he's thinking of getting something to cover it up, just because although it was tattooed really well, it just doesn't look right. It kinda looks a bit weird. I can't explain! But his music notes came out super awesomely. I'm planning something with a piece of music notation, two bars of my favourite songs guitar riff (so noone knows the connection really, apart from me!) which is going to be nice.

There are loads of different things you can do but the more i think about it the more blank I get I am ill though, maybe that's why!

 

[lolelemental]

I have to tell you though the pain might get to you. My friend had one done on the back of his arms and he said it was painful. Guess it depends on your pain threshold though.

Did he say how much it hurt? Being a stage musician, I've hurt myself plenty helping with the tech guys at my TAFE setup for gigs and what not, so could I compare it to having a light dropped on my head or would it be worse :S

...Designing a tattoo is a major annoyance...
Anyway, it sounds like an awesome idea but you might wanna jazz it up a bit. You'll probably need a background of colour to make the symbols pop. What instrument do you play? You could have something in the sleeve related to the instrument, maybe. E.g. I play drums and was always tempted to have something like a skull and cross-drumsticks

I'm thinking about shying away from background colours, I want to try and keep it simple, just black on my pasty pasty white skin

I'm primarily a vocalist, but I play rhythm guitar most of the time too, I'm a James Hetfield wannabe The sleeve idea is a good one, I could get music stuff on one arm, and something else on the other arm. Hmmmm ideas, they flow.

...I want to get a riff...

What riff xD

 

[TheDarkestDerp]

Sounds like you definitely love the subject matter so it's a pretty safe bet for ink. I say go for it. A little skin art can be fun, and in many ways opens up a whole new social strata to a person. People with ink are often interested in each other's art and there are all manner of sites and scenes built around the expression and display of such.

I wouldn't let anyone try to disuade you with notions of how much it'll hurt, either. I have a fairly detailed piece across my tummy, took about 45 minutes to get, and honestly the pain was pretty minimal. It stung a little at first, about as much as a cat scratch, but once the initial shock wore off it just kind of became a continual annoyance until the artist was finished with the design.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

I have to tell you though the pain might get to you. My friend had one done on the back of his arms and he said it was painful. Guess it depends on your pain threshold though.

Did he say how much it hurt? Being a stage musician, I've hurt myself plenty helping with the tech guys at my TAFE setup for gigs and what not, so could I compare it to having a light dropped on my head or would it be worse :S

Well being the pussy that my friend is, I wouldn't go by his experience. Personally, when I got my wrist done, it felt like a hot needle was being dragged cross my skin but it was a tolerable pain. Rule of thumb is to usually avoid places close to bone. My brother and father had a really tough time going through theirs (rib and back respectively).

In all, the pain really depends on you but be prepared. It aint no light on the head.
Hey, your aussie too! Glad another one of us ain't getting nothing tribal or the southern cross.

 

[The Rockerfly]

Get a tenor clef so when people try and act smart and say "is that a treble clef" you can call them stupid for not knowing a slightly obscure musical symbol

 

[CrashBang]

I'm thinking about shying away from background colours, I want to try and keep it simple, just black on my pasty pasty white skin

I'm primarily a vocalist, but I play rhythm guitar most of the time too, I'm a James Hetfield wannabe The sleeve idea is a good one, I could get music stuff on one arm, and something else on the other arm. Hmmmm ideas, they flow.

Yeah I'd recommend just getting one full sleeve of it, freeing your other arm up for something else. Maybe get an old-school Elvis-esque microphone as well? Just a suggestion

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

SNIP

Nice to see another band lover on this site!

*My trumpet salutes you*

Congrats on picking music as your career! I hear secondhand from my father who is a music teacher/professional trumpet player that it hasn't been the easiest life or the most lucrative. He says its worth every moment of frustration, of anger and anxiety to share the gift of music with others and to see the faces of inspired youths.

...

What was the topic again? Oh yes, Music Tattoos. Sounds ambitious but I would start small. Maybe you should plan it all out, drawing out what you want, where you want it and should get it one at a time. Tattoos hurt like a ***** afterward (so I've heard) so I wouldn't want to put both my arms out of commission; especially if I had to direct and teach

So yeah, I don't know much about them but I'd say get them individually over time. Maybe like twice a month or something. I can guarantee you that music tattoos help with your popularity in the bandroom. My director in my Youth Orchestra had a rocking Bass Clef tattoo right on his neck because he was a String Bass player. He was awesome

So, yeah. Mad props on choosing music as your passion and on the tattoo idea.

[sub]I've got a tattoo Idea too [/sub]

 

[Astoria]

Well, yeah basically what everyone else has been saying. Make sure the design is exactly what you want and it would't hurt to maybe get whoever is tattooing you to maybe draw it straight onto you insted of getting a stencil done to make sure it fits right. You also should try a find a tattooist who specialises in what you want so you can be certain it won't be screwed up. Hope it turns out great

 

[BabyRaptor]

Make sure you can live with what you get for the rest of your life.

When I was young and dumb...OK, about 5 years ago, I still am young and dumb, but anyway, I got my then-husband's initials tattoo'd on my hip, right there where your jeans pocket is.

Bad already, right? Guess what his initials are? STD.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Make sure you can live with what you get for the rest of your life.

When I was young and dumb...OK, about 5 years ago, I still am young and dumb, but anyway, I got my then-husband's initials tattoo'd on my hip, right there where your jeans pocket is.

Bad already, right? Guess what his initials are? STD.

Ooh. Thats uhh...yeah. Another rule of thumb to tats OP. Dont get names of your relationships other than family.

 

[CANofKAM]

Hey Escapists!

I'm currently studying music and hoping to eventually be a High school Music Teacher, and recently I had this idea for a tattoo covering the front and backs of both arms made up of various bits of music symbols and theory (stuff like scales, key signatures, note values etc).

I'm not getting it done until after I finish my Batchelor of Music from University (at least 3-4 years) so I most likely wont be needing it for cheating purposes, but I think that it would be a nice little statement across my arms that I am 100% in love with music and I'm more than willing to help anyone understand it.

Any input on why/why not I should get it done, and what else I should include on the design would be great

i am all for tattoos, i want one (or more) when im old enough but you really need to sit down and think. dont feel like you need to get tattoos or be pressured to add others. Its your body and it will be there for the rest of your life, choose wisely and slowly but most important, will you still want it in 40 years?

 

[BabyRaptor]

Make sure you can live with what you get for the rest of your life.

When I was young and dumb...OK, about 5 years ago, I still am young and dumb, but anyway, I got my then-husband's initials tattoo'd on my hip, right there where your jeans pocket is.

Bad already, right? Guess what his initials are? STD.

Ooh. Thats uhh...yeah. Another rule of thumb to tats OP. Dont get names of your relationships other than family.

Yeah, it's...Well, it makes for great laughs. I'm trying to figure out some kind of cover art for it, but the letters are solid black and filled in, so I've not had much luck thus far.

 

[The Salty Vulcan]

Make sure you can live with what you get for the rest of your life.

When I was young and dumb...OK, about 5 years ago, I still am young and dumb, but anyway, I got my then-husband's initials tattoo'd on my hip, right there where your jeans pocket is.

Bad already, right? Guess what his initials are? STD.

Ooh. Thats uhh...yeah. Another rule of thumb to tats OP. Dont get names of your relationships other than family.

Yeah, it's...Well, it makes for great laughs. I'm trying to figure out some kind of cover art for it, but the letters are solid black and filled in, so I've not had much luck thus far.

Hmmm. How big is it exactly? I suppose you could get something like a black flower or a panther though a tat without any inherent meaning is really nothing but a blemish. Have you considered laser removal?

 

[lolelemental]

...but most important, will you still want it in 40 years?

Well, in 40 years I hope to be a senile old man that will constantly need to look down at his arms to remember what to teach next So yes defiantly.

 

[brumley53]

I say get it plain and simple no background stuff because it ends up looking mushed in with everything else and people wont notice it as much and they'll think your going for a tryhardcore look.

 

[newuseforvintage]

Going on from what brumley53 said; a great thing to do is go speak to/make friends with a tattoo artist and go over all your designs with them. The rules of drawing don't apply to tattoo art, especially in the long run and a tattoo artist can help you design something attractive AND practical.
Eg: straight lines you use a ruler to draw? Avoid them, they are the tattoo equivalent of hell and really hard to get right. Especially because a /slightly/ wonky line that is meant to be straight stands out a lot.
I say go for it!
and welcome to the club.

 

[tehroc]

Hey Escapists!

I'm currently studying music and hoping to eventually be a High school Music Teacher, and recently I had this idea for a tattoo covering the front and backs of both arms made up of various bits of music symbols and theory (stuff like scales, key signatures, note values etc).

I'm not getting it done until after I finish my Batchelor of Music from University (at least 3-4 years) so I most likely wont be needing it for cheating purposes, but I think that it would be a nice little statement across my arms that I am 100% in love with music and I'm more than willing to help anyone understand it.

Any input on why/why not I should get it done, and what else I should include on the design would be great

If you plan on being a teacher DO NOT get a tattoo that is easily viewable. You wont get the job. It's all great if that's what you love and its your personal choice, but employers don't give a fuck and parents don't want their children being taught by a guy who might look like a ex-convict.