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.
GrooveTech’s new DK Multi is a four-in-one drum key multi-tool designed to combine style with functionality. The centerpiece is a drum key socket optimized for proper fit on the tension rod nut for minimal free play. What separates the DK Multi from other drum keys is the addition of three hex wrenches—2mm, 2.5mm, and 3mm—for adjustment of pedals and other hardware.
Gator Frameworks’ new deluxe guitar player’s seat comes equipped with a three-point height adjustment system designed to give maximum control over your sitting position. Offers quick and easy height adjustments of the seat, backrest, and footrest. Includes foam padded seat cushion, grip tape on the foot rest, and rubber feet on the base of the seat. When not in use, hang your instrument on the rear-side yoke.
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 slides over the headstock when not in use. Fits string instruments size small through extra large.
The Pitch Fork Polyphonic Pitch Shifter/Harmony Pedal by Electro-Harmonix features two independent pitch shifting engines with full control over each. Both will transpose your pitch up or down over a three-octave range and detune +/- 99 cents. With rock solid tracking, an organic, musical tone, and extensive control, it’s your ultimate harmonizer.
The Fishman Loudbox Mini packs 60 watts of clean acoustic power and has two channels featuring Fishman’s preamp and tone control designs. It also features digital reverb and chorus for the instrument channel, reverb for the microphone channel, an MP3 input, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity.
Woodwind accessory manufacturer Key Leaves has created a way to protect saxophones from getting damaged while bumped or dropped in their cases. The GapCap replaces traditional saxophone end plugs or end caps and features a coil spring wall to provide the perfect fit inside the saxophone neck socket, no matter what make or model. GapCap screw adjusts to fit the case, shock absorbs impact, and vents air through the top and side for a cleaner saxophone and longer pad life.
The Pirastro KorfkerRest is billed as the world’s lightest shoulder rest. Bendable maple and sleek, ultra-light rubber feet redefine the classic shoulder rest. It offers extensive and precise personal modifications of position, height, and tilt; brings out a wider dynamic range from the instrument; and allows a richer diversity in articulation. Finer variations in string contact can be felt while minimal use of rubber improves sound characteristics.
The Mute Caddy’s new “Longoria” model helps trumpet players keep track of their mutes. Lightweight and portable, it slides securely onto the ledge of a music stand and has no moving parts. Organize your mutes and keep them at eye level. The Longoria can accommodate up to four mutes, and will also house three mouthpieces and a pencil—or take out a mute and you’ll have space for a beverage cup.
The new Ludwig L204SF Speed Flyer single foot bass drum pedal features an improved beater with traditional speed sizing and increased weight, improved heel with smooth action bearings, improved toe clamp to reduce hoop damage with secured grip, new ergonomic wing bolts and attached drum key, improved baseboard for added strength, orientation marks for easier cam adjustments, and anti-slip cam features
for maximum stability.
After requests from churches and musical groups, the Audix MicroBoom carbon fiber microphone boom system is now available in white. The top-selling modular solution is extremely lightweight and low profile, easy to place, immune to RF interference from wireless devices, and requires no additional phantom power adapter. Available in 50-inch and 84-inch boom lengths, Microboom is compatible with any standard mike stand and with the Micros miniature condenser microphone series—M1250B, M1255B, and M1280 (available with cardioid, hypercardioid, omni, or supercardioid capsules).
