If you’re considering getting a tattoo to celebrate your love of music, you might be in the market for a saxophone tattoo. Saxophone tattoos are quite a niche, but they’re a great way for you to commemorate your relationship with the beloved instrument.
If you’re ready to bite the bullet and get a saxophone tattoo, keep scrolling for some serious ink inspiration. Whether you’re on the hunt for a smaller, simpler fine-line tattoo or a bigger, bolder blackwork tattoo, we’ve got your back with these superior saxophone tattoos.
1. A simple saxophone tattoo
Starting with a simple saxophone tattoo, you don’t need to go all out to make a statement. Saxophone tattoos represent modernity, innovation, and a sense of exploration, and that’s all that matters.
2. A soft and subtle saxophone tattoo
When choosing the right style for your tattoo, you can opt for a soft and subtle vibe that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the design. Whether you opt for a dotwork tattoo, a gray wash tattoo, or something else, you’ll get a tattoo that looks like something out of a black-and-white movie.
3. A blackwork musical instrument-inspired tattoo
Saxophone tattoos are great for sax players, but you can make them even better by adding other musical instruments you’re interested in. Whether you opt for a clarinet, a piano, or a guitar, you can’t go wrong with a musical instrument-inspired tattoo.
4. A John Coltrane saxophone tattoo
If you’re a sax player, you’re familiar with John Coltrane’s work and you might be in the market for a John Coltrane tattoo. It’s a great way to commemorate an iconic artist and an even more iconic musical instrument.
5. A weathered sax tattoo
What about a weathered saxophone tattoo? If you’re a retired sax player or you stopped playing your favorite musical instrument when life got in the way, you might want to immortalize it with a tattoo.
6. A sticker sleeve sax tattoo
Sticker sleeves are all the rage these days, and we can’t think of a better sticker tattoo to showcase who you are and what you’re capable of. Saxophone tattoos are packed with symbolism and meaning, and they’re an excellent pick for everyone who appreciates the art of music.
7. An abstract saxophone tattoo
We’re obsessed with abstract tattoos because they’re a lot more subtle and sleek than “regular” tattoos. Abstract tattoos are meant to show off emotion and play with different elements that point toward a specific concept rather than give off the concept right away. An abstract saxophone sounds like a great tattoo!
8. A sax tattoo with butterflies
Now, how can you make your sax tattoo bigger, better, and bolder? Work with your tattoo artist and come up with a design that consists of elements that amplify or completely change the meaning of the tattoo. A butterfly, for example, represents transformation, change, and a new chapter that awaits you.
9. A colored sax tattoo
Black and gray tattoos are classic and timeless, but that doesn’t mean that you’re not allowed to play with colored tattoos, too. A colored saxophone, for example, will attract much more attention and make you the talk of the office within the first few minutes of walking out of the tattoo parlor.
10. A sax tattoo with colored details
Why not play with colored details, too? When working on the final design of your tattoo, you can play with splashes of color to make your saxophone come to life.
11. A saxophone tattoo with details
When you add details to your tattoo, you give it more power, meaning, and significance. Whether you add a note or two to complete the look, a flower to make the design more whimsical, or smoke coming out of the saxophone to make a statement, that’s up to you.
12. A saxophone ribcage tattoo
Whether you’re getting your first tattoo ever or going back to your tattoo artist for another musical instrument-inspired tattoo, you know that the placement can make or break your tattoo. A ribcage tattoo might not be for everyone, but it’s a great way to express your creativity and push your limits.
13. A saxophone tattoo on the inner arm
A saxophone tattoo on the inner arm sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? When you’re unsure of the right placement for your tattoo, consult with your tattoo artist – or opt for an inner arm tattoo that’s guaranteed to make you feel like you know exactly what you’re doing.
14. A tattoo of John Coltrane on the sax
We’ve got another John Coltrane tattoo! If you’re not in the right headspace to get a proper portrait of the legendary sax player, you might be interested in getting a simple, subtle sketch of John Coltrane on the sax.
15. A sax tattoo on the upper arm
Remember what we said about inner arm tattoos? Rather than wasting your time trying to figure out the right placement for your saxophone tattoo, pick the simpler route and pt for an arm tattoo. Whether that’s an upper arm tattoo, a bicep tattoo, or a hand tattoo, your tattoo will move with your body beautifully.
16. A sax tattoo on the outside of the arm
With a sax tattoo on the outside of your arm, you can accentuate the curvatures of your body and show everyone that you’re not afraid of showing off your tattoo. Arm tattoos are typically highly visible and that’s why they’re some of the most popular, prominent tattoo placements among seasoned tattoo-getters.
17. A sax tattoo with a bird
If you’re going to take anything from this article, take this – choose your tattoo artist based on skill and style rather than price. It’s clear that the price plays a huge part, too, but you’re going to rock your tattoos for the rest of your life and you need to be happy with them. If you like a specific style – like the one in the picture – reach out to the artist and see whether you can arrange something.
See also: 22 Poseidon Tattoos In The Name Of The Majestic Oceans
18. A sax tattoo with a semicolon
Why a semicolon, you wonder? Semicolon tattoos typically represent people’s struggles with mental health problems and they’ve been a symbol of suicide prevention for quite a while now. So, if you’re looking for a tattoo to represent the tough times you and your loved ones have been through, you might want to add a semicolon to it.
19. A behind-the-ear saxophone tattoo
Behind-the-ear tattoos are awesome! With a behind-the-ear tattoo, you can count on being in and out of the tattoo parlor within an hour and being able to conceal or reveal your tattoo depending on your mood. What’s not to love about that?
20. A colored saxophone tattoo above the knee
If you’re a fan of colored tattoos like the gentleman in the picture, you might want to add a little colored saxophone to your collection! It’s beautiful, bold, and GOLD!
21. A watercolor sax tattoo
If you’re willing to go all out, you might as well go for a watercolor saxophone tattoo! Watercolor tattoos are truly works of art, which makes sense because they’re meant to mimic the same whimsical, vibrant vibe of watercolor paintings.
22. A tattoo of a saxophone made of notes
Why not play with the design of your tattoo? Whether you’re a musician or a saxophone enthusiast, you can create something special with a saxophone tattoo made of notes!
23. A tiny saxophone tattoo
Saxophone tattoos might be indicating because they’re quite intricate and detailed, but you can always opt for a tiny sax tattoo – especially if you’re getting your first tattoo ever!
24. A saxophone sketch tattoo
If you’re looking to stay on top of trends, you might be interested in sketch tattoos. Sketch tattoos have been around for quite a while, but they’ve made a comeback with the resurgence of abstract tattoos. Sketch tattoos are defined by rough, loose, and unrefined lines, as well as a raw and organic appearance.
25. A blackwork saxophone tattoo
Blackwork tattoos are a great option for people who like statement tattoos. They’re typically dark and daunting, and they’re made with *a lot* of black details. They’re great for cover-up tattoos or big, bold works of art.
26. A deconstructed sax tattoo
When working with your tattoo artist, explore different styles, symbols, and elements to ensure you end up with a saxophone tattoo that represents who you are.
27. A saxophone tattoo with flowers
We’re ending the article with quite a popular tattoo motif – a saxophone tattoo with flowers. Whether you opt for your birth flowers or random flowers you’re drawn to, you’re going to adore the way these two elements work together.
