Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
May 1, 2017
In her memoir, The Skin Above My Knee, former oboist and Local 802 (New York City) member Marcia Butler tells how she rose out of an abusive home to become a brilliant musician and artist.
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The goal of this book is to help bassists develop a wide vocabulary of sounds with the bow through exploration of the expressive potential of bow strokes that combine movements, offering an infinite variety of musical gestures
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It’s never been easier to record at home, but it still requires some know-how. This book covers equipment—digital audio workstations, standalone digital recorders, and mobile devices; the use of effects; plus mixing and editing.
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Blues Piano Legends includes 16 transcriptions with lyrics for tunes that all blues fans should know, including: “Big Chief,” Professor Longhair; “Bloody Murder,” Otis Spann; “Boogie Woogie Stomp,” Albert Ammon
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In this book Local 6 (San Francisco, CA) member Larry Dunlap, a respected arranger, composer, and teacher, provides a series of tools to prepare musicians for jazz jam sessions.
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Based on the mid-1960s classic, the Epiphone Elitist Casino hollow body has the classic look and sound made famous by The Beatles.
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RatStands Opera Chair with optional baffle is designed to provide musicians with exceptional lumbar support in a chair with adjustable seat angle and legs.
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The Sennheiser Digital 6000 microphone system was designed to address the challenges of the shrinking UHF spectrum in live performance settings.
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The Fluance DB12 Powered Subwoofer is designed to deliver powerful bass performance for a truly immersive experience.
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Playing classical music as a violinist in orchestras, and performing folk music, rock and roll, western swing, country, funk, and jazz on guitar, I have seen most of this country. I have seen most of the attitudes musicians display toward other musicians, whether friends, colleagues, or unknown nobodies.
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