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.
The unique 7 mil film on Evans’ Reso 7 drumheads provides an abbreviated sustain while maintaining a full tonal response, removing the need for the use of additional muffling devices. Reso 7 is available in sizes ranging from six inches to 18 inches.
The Breedlove Studio series’ figured maple back and sides and solid Sitka spruce top are designed to capture every sparkling detail and nuance of acoustic guitar performances. Available in concert, dreadnought, and 12-string models, all feature the Fishman INK3 USB pickup system—a Sonicore pickup, three-band EQ, chromatic tuner, and LED. A USB connection allows quick access and recording straight from the guitar. The guitars also feature abalone rosette,ivoroid binding, and sparkling mother of pearl offset dots inlayed in the fretboard. All of the models come with a deluxe foamshell gigbag.
The BOSS ES-8 Effects Switching System is an advanced audio command center for pedal boards. It features eight audio loops, flexible routing options, and programmable switching for all types to effects, creating a powerful centralized tool to allow pedal-switching, creativity, and expression not previously achievable.
Shure’s new line of PG ALTA microphones offer professional sound at a budget-conscious price. There are 14 new products available, including several added value microphone kits. PGA Studio Kit 4, priced under $300, includes two versatile PGA181 ($99 individually) side-address condenser microphones suited for use with acoustic and amplified instruments, and vocals; one PGA52 ($119 individually) drum microphone, and one PGA57 ($59 individually) instrument microphone, plus four XLR-XLR cables, all in a protective carrying case.
D’Addario’s Reserve reeds utilize the first practical and precise system for digitally measuring and cutting reeds to exact specifications to provide unparalleled consistency box to box. Reserve for clarinet is built on a standard thickness blank and features a shorter vamp for even sound, rounded tip corners for warmth, traditional thickness, and in strengths from 2.0-4.5, and a special 3.0+ strength. Reserve Classic clarinet reeds are built on a thicker blank, with a longer vamp for increased flexibility, squared tip corners for ease of response, and a thicker tip, in half-strengths from 2.0 to 4.5, with special 3.5+ and 4.0+ strengths. Reserve Alto Sax reeds feature a traditional blank option, heavy spine for dynamic flexibility, fine narrow rail for consistent response, traditional tip thickness, and half-strengths from 2.0-4.5 and special 3.0+ strength.
Fretboard visualization and navigation are among the most elusive of guitar concepts to master. Fretboard Freedom uses chord shapes, two-note-per-string arpeggios, and extended pentatonic scales to help you visualize the entire fretboard in a logical manner by following 52 weeks of lessons. With this one lick per day method you will learn to navigate the neck with greater ease you will improve your fluidity in lead playing and improve your ability to play what you hear in your head. Fifty-three tracks of examples are included on an audio CD.
Fretboard Freedom: A Revolutionary Approach to Chord-Tone Soloing, by Troy Nelson, Hal Leonard Corporation, www.halleonard.com.
With Line 6 AMPLIFi TT guitar tone processor you can turn any speaker system into a guitar amp and Bluetooth streaming system that mixes in guitar amp tones. Play along to tracks of your favorite songs or jam anywhere. AMPLIFi TT delivers more than 200 award-winning amps and effects; features thousands of professionally designed presets; provides easy USB recording on Mac, PC, or iOS; and allows guitarists to match tones stored in a massive cloud database to their music library.
Yamaha’s AG03 and AG06 hybrid mixing consoles and USB audio interfaces offer high-resolution (24-bit/192kHz) audio recording and playback, iOS compatibility, and battery operation. An intuitive TO PC switch allows users to select which inputs get routed back to a computer or iOS device to make mixing mics and instruments a breeze. And though most USB audio interfaces require software to control routing, effects, and monitoring the AG series does not, bringing all controls to the front panel. AG03 and AG06 also feature high quality D-PRE microphone preamps and onboard DSP effects, AUX input for a music player, and foot switch jack for effects. AG06 features six channels and AG03 has three.
Korg’s Sledgehammer and Sledgehammer Pro tuners feature easy-to-view liquid crystal displays and securely clip to your guitar or bass. The tuners have modes for guitar, bass, flat, and capo and a calibration function lets you adjust to all concert pitches. A built-in memory function offers convenient back-up. The Pro model is precise up to +/-0.1 cent, plus its high contrast 3D display can be viewed three ways: regular, strobe, or half-strobe.
Monumental MouthpiecesConstructed of anodized aluminum, the JodyJazz Giant Tenor George Garzone Signature models are the first saxophone mouthpieces to combine the shape of a hard rubber mouthpiece with the precision of metal. Larger tip openings, like those found on these models, allow the reed to vibrate further generating more harmonics. Generally, mouthpieces with larger tip openings are more difficult to play, requiring more control and practice, but Jody’s facing curve makes these larger tip openings easier to play. “The colors in the sound of the Giant are amazing and I love the way I can lean into it to shape my sound,” says Garzone. The Giant Tenor George Garzone Signature models are available in sizes 9 and 10.
