Sure don't. I'm one of the happiest/smiliest people you'll meet and I'm sure I don't come off intimidating in the least - heck I'd feel bad if I did. I also couldn't care less about what people think of my tats so I guess I'm all good.
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Double Bass Will a tattoo be a problem in the classical world?
- Thread starter Malten
- Start date
Sure don't. I'm one of the happiest/smiliest people you'll meet and I'm sure I don't come off intimidating in the least - heck I'd feel bad if I did. I also couldn't care less about what people think of my tats so I guess I'm all good.
If you think tattoos are about looking like 'some sort of tough guy' you really don't have the first clue as to why people get them.
Honestly, I don't think it is a "majority" any more. If it is, it is not a huge majority.
OP, here is the reality (and the rest is pure speculation and wishful thinking). It WILL be a problem for some, and not for others. What you have to ask yourself is are you willing to gamble on it? Are you willing to get the tat and go to a really important audition with someone for whom a tat IS a problem? I'm not going to sit here and try to judge you for wanting/getting one (my wife and father both have one and it doesn't affect my feelings for them). But play it smart. Whatever point you are trying to make by getting one on your head simply isn't worth it. Get the tat in a place where you can cover it up if you have to.
So long as you can cover it with long sleeves, I don't foresee any problem getting a job musically or otherwise. My sleeves both end about 3 inches from my wrists and most people I've worked with don't realize I have tattoos until I tell them. Be smart about it and you'll be fine. Your body is just the vehicle for your mind so why not have a custom paint job?
As an addendum: My generation has completely ruined tattoos. It used to be that getting a tattoo meant you were tough and feared. Now it means you're probably a vegan who works at a coffee shop...and plays bass in a failed band. 
As an addendum: It used to be that getting a tattoo meant you were tough and feared. Now it means you're probably a vegan who works at a coffee shop...and plays bass in a failed band.
I would say at least this has killed the trend of bassists wearing terrible hats but I don't think it has.
Why would I choose one when I can have both.
Frankly, having tattoos actually makes it easier to get away with terrible hats.
Once again the self-righteous judgmental crowd comes out in force.
Are you self-righteously judging them?
As an addendum: My generation has completely ruined tattoos. It used to be that getting a tattoo meant you were tough and feared. Now it means you're probably a vegan who works at a coffee shop...and plays bass in a failed band.
So I guess as related to the original post, the question really is: "Can Classical music survive in a tattoo world??"
I was waiting for it. Here's a few of mine. The lotus flower is the newest addition and is pretty raw in the up close photo. The hot chick getting out of the car is my (also inked) fiancee.
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I find both extreme sides of the tattoo argument to come off as self-righteous and judgmental at times. It is a personal decision to get tattooed, nothing else. It doesn't mean everyone else has to like it or dislike it, and it can at times hinder one's employability, but that is fine as long as the individual choosing to get tattooed feels it was the right choice for their body. As simple as that.
Are you self-righteously judging them?
No, I'm angrily judging them!
I guess I don't get why someone feels it is OK to voice an unsolicited negative opinion about someone else based on their appearance. It's a free world, if someone wants to be a d!ck, I won't lose any sleep over it.
If you can't see the tattoo when wearing a tuxedo, I don't think it will be a problem for most major Symphonies. Just be sure they also don't see it at the audition, as some in the classical world WILL judge you for it in a final round at an audition.
A 2 page thread on tats and not a single picture? Epic FAIL.
Nice to see someone has the balls to get Shostakovich tatooed on their body...Too bad it's over the heads of the naysayers...Awesome tatoo, coming from someone who has none!!!
Just stating the facts.
It does make you less employable. Thus demonstrating poor judgement, unless you are okay with under employment. (Please no contrary anecdotes. I know Jesse James on TV is a millionaire). Like a mullet, it is a fashion statement--only permanent.
