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.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AFM

Cool Tools, Products

The Duet Digital Wireless Monitor


The Duet digital wireless monitor (IEM) system from Lectrosonics is made in the US and was designed for professional performing and touring musicians




Hal Leonard Trumpet Play-Along

Hal Leonard Trumpet Play-Along Series


The Hal Leonard Trumpet Play-Along series is designed to help you learn to play tunes quickly and easily with printed music and access to online audio tracks for download and streaming




Ultimate Easy Play-Along Series

Alfred’s Ultimate Easy Play-Along Series


Great for students, Alfred’s Ultimate Easy Play-Along series features easy-to-play arrangements of guitar parts from classic recordings in both TAB and notation.




How Music Dies (or Lives)

How Music Dies (or Lives): Field Recording and the Battle for Democracy in the Arts


In this book author and Grammy-winning producer Ian Brennan chronicles his journeys to find new and ancient sounds, textured voices, and nonmalleable songs as he presents readers with an intricate look at our technological society.




The Skin Above My Knee

The Skin Above My Knee


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.




Mastering the Bow

Mastering the Bow Studies for Bass, Part 2: Spiccato


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




How to Record at Home on a Budget

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.


Blues piano legends

Blues Piano Legends: 16 Note-for-Note Piano Transcriptions from 12 Blues Icons


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




jazz session trainer

Jazz Session Trainer: The Woodshedder’s Practice Kit


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.




Epiphone Elitist Casino hollow body

Epiphone Elitist Casino Hollow Body


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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