A system and method for providing a haptic effect to a musical instrument is described. One method described comprises receiving a first signal having a set of parameters relating to sound, determining a haptic effect associated with at least one predetermined parameter from the set of parameters, and outputting a second signal associated with the haptic effect. The haptic effect can be determined using at least one predetermined parameter from the set of parameters to select the haptic effect from a database having one or more look-up tables. The second signal is provided to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the second signal. The second signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.