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

Health, Resources

Tackling Migraines: Help for More Pain-Free Days

Those who suffer from migraines experience severe, debilitating throbbing pain, often occurring on one side of the head. Attacks frequently cause disabling symptoms. Visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and severe sensitivity to light, sound, touch, and smell, are common. More than one billion people worldwide are affected by migraines, making it the third […]


Show Some Love for Your Heart 

After decades of decline, fatal coronary heart disease may rise again unless Americans modify three major risk factors: smoking, drinking, and obesity, according to a new study out of Rutgers University. For musicians, hectic schedules, late-night gigs, rehearsals, and touring often mean less time devoted to diet and exercise.  Between 1990 and 2019, the US […]


Freelance Services Department: 

Beginning 2024 with Renewed Focus and Strength  by Wages Argott, AFM Director of Freelance Services and Membership Development  For many freelance and independent musicians, the thought of organized labor has long been reserved for those in service industries, manufacturing, trades, and public service. Regardless of the discipline, the gains achieved through collective power can’t be […]


Reining in the Cheer 

January is usually the time to take stock of our health and personal growth, generally with a multitude of New Year’s resolutions. People often vow to take a break from liquid cheer in “dry January.” Whether you simply want to cleanse from overindulging during the holidays, or are looking to make a long-term change, drinking […]


Find the Perfect Gift for the Musician in Your Life!


Struggling to find the perfect gift for the musician in your life? Or for yourself!Check out the great suggestions below: Luis & Clark Instruments Contrary to the beliefs of many, Luis & Clark carbon fiber instruments are not “machine made.” They are individually made, by hand. They are fabricated, using molds and each is made […]




Curb Eye Strain with Proper Lighting, Preventive Measures

When a professional musician reads music it is at a longer distance than the average person reading a book. At the same time, they need to monitor the conductor’s motions, which can range from one to 20 feet away—and sometimes they must switch from one instrument to another. Suffice it to say, musicians have many […]


Take the Long View on Eye Health

Musicians are susceptible to any number of performance-related injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome and joint pain. But, let’s face it, the eyes and ears do the heavy lifting in performance. As a focus of health and wellness, vision is often taken for granted. Focusing on small notes on a page for long periods of time, […]


The Alexander Technique:

For Musicians,Every Movement Is Meaningful Music requires some of the most complex and physically demanding movements of any profession, and musicians often risk developing any number of overuse injuries. That’s what makes them the perfect students of the Alexander Technique. They’re naturally disciplined, deeply familiar with the nuances of form and movement—and they are committed […]


New Strain Adds to Complexity of Lyme Disease

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and health officials from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, report the discovery of a new species of bacteria (Borrelia mayonii) that causes Lyme disease. Until now, Borrelia burgdorferi was the only species believed to cause Lyme disease in North America. Scientists first […]


Take the Stage with Confidence: Strategies to Overcome Stage Fright 

It’s a musician’s dream to play to a packed house. Yet for many, it comes with a cost. Paralyzing anxiety, often called stage fright, can derail concentration and sabotage your ability to play well. The autonomic nervous system emits a rush of adrenaline to prepare your body for a perceived threat, called a fight or […]








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