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.

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Tag Archives: learning music

Books-Resources, Products

Banjo Aerobics: A 50-Week Workout Program for Developing, Improving, and Maintaining Banjo Technique

May 29, 2015 IM

This book, designed for all levels, will help you improve on basic techniques to play today’s traditional music, as well as many other styles, from old-time music to pop. With 50 distinct exercises, the book provides a year’s worth of practice material with a two-week vacation. Each exercise is labeled by playing/musical style, so you can focus on your favorites and skip around as you venture into new styles of playing and music. Along the way, you will improve your speed, dexterity, coordination, and accuracy, as you expand your melodic and harmonic vocabulary and knowledge of the fingerboard.

Banjo Aerobics: A 50-Week Workout Program for Developing, Improving, and Maintaining Banjo Technique, by Michael Bremer, Hal Leonard Corporation, www.halleonard.com.

Books-Resources, Products

Jazz Virtuostics for Timpani: Etudes, Exercises, and Lead Sheets, Volume 1

February 26, 2015 IM

Though not considered an instrument common to jazz, timpani was employed in jazz by some of its big names, including Sonny Greer, Max Roach, Art Blakey, and Gene Krupa. Today jazz timpani is alive and well in this book, thanks to arranger Ian Finkel and timpanist Jonathan Haas of Local 802 (New York City). Together they present 56 exercises to prepare to play jazz and then nine lead sheets and etudes to practice what you’ve learned, referencing such classic tunes as Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm,” Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll,” and “Take the A Train.”

Jazz Virtuostics for Timpani: Etudes, Exercises, and Lead Sheets Volume 1, by Jonathan Haas and Ian Finkel, Bachovich Music Publications, www.bachovich.com.