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.
September 2, 2014
By: Jill Gambaro It can start during or after a performance, or in the middle of the night, seemingly out of the blue. Your finger curls down into your palm, and won’t straighten out again. Your neck remains twisted sideways even after you put down your violin. Your lip trembles when you try to play […]
August 1, 2014
Routine and thorough cleaning of your wind instrument isn’t just a matter of aesthetics, it could be a matter of life or death. According to an article published in the journal General Dentistry many woodwind and brass instruments are heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi. Every time an infected instrument is played, contaminants enter the […]
July 23, 2014
The second most common reason for doctor visits is back pain. In fact, about 65 million Americans suffer from back pain. Whether you play drums, guitar, violin, or trombone, you are at risk of developing back pain. As a musician, it can have a severe detrimental effect on your livelihood. Common causes of back pain […]
June 15, 2014
Being a performer usually involves dressing the part, whether it is casual, all black in the pit or a tux or black dress for a society gig. A very important part of your appearance is your smile. As you get older, your teeth get yellower. If you are interested in changing the shade of your […]
April 12, 2014
“As a clarinet player, my jaw aches, clicks, and sometimes locks up from playing regularly. I have been getting chiropractic care for the past two years and have noticed a decrease in achiness, clicking. Also, my posture is better while playing, and that helps keep my body relaxed as I play,” says Jessica Weimer, band […]
March 12, 2014
A career as a classical musician comes with many rewards, but optimum physical health is generally not one of them. For example, surveys of symphony members found between 64% and 76% suffer from complaints of the arms, neck, and/or shoulders. Repetitive motions, awkward positions, and excessive force, can all lead to pain and injury, which […]
March 12, 2014
Most musicians will experience discomfort while playing at some time during their careers. One of the most common causes of pain among musicians is an overuse injury. These often affect the wrists and arms or neck and shoulders. Overuse injury is defined as a breakdown of tissues (muscles, tendons, or ligaments) that have been stressed […]
March 12, 2014
The Alexander Technique addresses inefficient habits of movement and patterns of accumulated tension that interfere with our innate ability to move easily. But as Michael J. Gelb says in Body Learning, his book on the subject, the technique itself is difficult to define because it involves a new experience. It’s like “trying to explain music […]
March 12, 2014
Most musicians know that they should protect their hearing, but what can they do if some damage has already been done? Omaha, Nebraska, audiologists Kendall Simmons and Joel Edwards, who both work with the national hearing healthcare provider network EarQ, answer some questions. I play violin in the orchestra, and when the brass plays it […]
March 12, 2014
With about 50 million Americans (one out of five) and 4.5 million Canadians suffering from some sort of arthritis or chronic joint pain, it is not surprising that there are many musicians affected. Instances of some types of arthritis among professional musicians may actually be elevated due to repetitive movements related to playing instruments or […]