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.
The Upton Bass Ergo Double Bass by AES features an asymmetric design that sits close to the player’s body allowing for a better reach with the bowing arm and remarkable fingerboard access. The Ergo also features unbroken cornerless lower bouts and sound ports on the player’s side for acoustic response. This first 2020 Upton-built version […]
Buffet Crampon’s newest clarinet model, the GALA, takes advantage of the latest research and is characterized by rich harmonics and an overall balance of range. This new professional clarinet is equipped with grenadilla wooden chimneys, leather pads, adjustable thumb rest, silver plated keywork, and pochette-style case. Available in Bb and A; with an optional Eb […]
The Légère American Cut jazz saxophone reeds—for alto and tenor saxes—are free-blowing, colorful, and loaded with personality. The distinct profile is what gives players a full, clear low register and vibrant altissimo. By taking material from the outside of the reed and pushing it towards the heart, the reed maintains its stiffness while allowing the […]
Go Beyond the Horizon Create haunting echoes, ethereal landscapes, and otherworldly ambience with Eventide’s new Blackhole, a reverb pedal “as big and as mysterious as the cosmos.” The pedal includes onboard tone controls, modulation, and infinite reverb settings with mono or stereo operation, MIDI, preset storing, and a new compact, easy-to-use interface.www.eventideaudio.com
The weight of laminated birch paired with the much larger shaft diameter make Greg Zuber’s new Nothung concert snare stick a truly unique offering to the Vic Firth Symphonic Collection. As the principal percussionist of the MET Orchestra, Zuber, of Local 802 (New York City), needed a stick that could cover a wide array of […]
Wrap It Up GruvGear’s FretWraps string muter is a professional string dampener / muting accessory that cuts overtones and sympathetic resonance during recording, live performance, two-hand tapping, or any creative situation where you need that extra muting hand for cleaner takes. The adjustable strap lets you fine-tune the pressure and dampening of the strings. Quickly […]
Stealthy Sound The Aston Stealth is a broadcast quality microphone for studio and stage. It offers four switchable voices, active and passive modes, a built-in Class A mic preamp with autodetect 48V Phantom power, and a unique Sorbothane internal shock mount system. Stealth was developed in partnership with 92 top engineers, producers, and artists who […]
In Korean mythology, Yuhwa was the daughter of a River God, tricked into marrying the Sun God. She escaped back to her homeland and gave birth to a son who became the founder and monarch of Korea’s northern kingdom. Hailstork’s six-minute depiction for solo flute is a luscious mix of innocent (and catchy) melody, blended […]
Howard Bloom founded the biggest PR firm in the music industry and helped build or sustain the careers of some of the biggest rock-and-roll legends of all time, including Prince, Paul Simon, David Byrne, ZZ Top, Joan Jett, and more. What was he after? He was on a hunt for the gods inside of you […]
An illuminating book of lyrics and stories from the musical Hadestown—the winner of eight Tony Awards—from its author, songwriter Anaïs Mitchell. In this book, Mitchell takes readers inside her more than decade-long process of building the musical from the ground up—detailing her inspiration, breaking down the lyrics, and opening up the process of creation that gave […]