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.
November 1, 2024
These days, feeling under the weather can raise all sorts of alarm bells. Is it COVID-19, a cold, or seasonal allergies? Determining the exact cause can be tricky because they share some of the same symptoms. Doctors are reporting a surge in COVID-19 as children return to school. Clearly not pandemic-level sickness, but new variants […]
September 1, 2024
Music performance anxiety (MPA) is a natural, emotional, and physiological response to the stress of public performance. Debilitating forms of MPA are severe reactions that go beyond the normal adaptive performance responses. They can have dire implications for a professional musician’s life. Studies show between 60% to 80% of professional musicians suffer from debilitating forms […]
August 1, 2024
The rigor of playing an instrument, performing complex and demanding physical movements on a daily basis, means musicians are at high risk for tendonitis, bursitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Repetitive movement, especially for extended periods, can significantly strain muscles and joints. Back pain and pain of the upper extremities are common, whether it’s shoulder pain […]
July 1, 2024
This summer, whether it’s mowing your lawn, taking a hike, or at an outdoor festival, there’s a good chance you might encounter a tick or two. Tick populations cycle through the year and their numbers depend on a few factors. The first peak of tick season starts in spring and continues through summer, with most […]
June 1, 2024
Sitting for prolonged periods of time, as many musicians do, can be linked to a number of health concerns, chief among them, back issues. Around 80%-90% of people in the US will have back pain at some point in their lives.
May 1, 2024
It’s not the first thing musicians think of when it comes to being healthy and fit to play, but regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning should happen every six months, or at least annually. Wind players, especially, must be mindful of any changes in the shape and position of their teeth and bite. Consider […]
April 1, 2024
Among the most frustrating disorders for musicians to manage is task-specific focal dystonia. Dystonia causes muscles to contract, which makes them move involuntarily or get stuck in an abnormal position. It can affect the entire body or a certain part, and the movements can sometimes cause pain. Though there are a number of unknowns, dystonia […]
March 1, 2024
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 […]
February 1, 2024
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 […]
January 1, 2024
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 […]