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.
Casio’s Cleviano AP-270 digital piano boasts a redesigned cabinet with all controls located on the side panel. The simulated ebony and ivory weighted, scaled, hammer action keyboard provides the feel, depth, and integrity of an acoustic piano. It features 22 tones, including both European and American concert grand piano tones with damper resonance. In addition, AP-270 offers Concert Play with 10 songs, three pedals, plus USB MIDI and two-track recording, all for under $1,500.
The Italia Maranello Cavo Bass is a light weight, 30-inch scale, semi-hollow body, four-string bass that packs a punch. It has a comfortable 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, mahogany neck, and chambered mahogany body featuring Italia’s signature f-hole. Italia Toaster pickups deliver tight low-mids and resonant highs without sacrificing the rich lows to hold down the rhythm. Instead of a standard three-position switch, the Cavo features a “blend” control knob to allow for a wide range of combinations between the neck and bridge pickups. Available in Racing Green or Translucent Cocoa, the bass comes with a deluxe gig bag.
This enormous collection of more than 40 songs highlights the biggest hits from the start of the new millennium. Piano accompaniment, vocal melodies, lyrics, and guitar chord diagrams are included. Titles include: “All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor; “Billionaire,” Travie McCoy; “Cool Kids,” Echosmith; “Country Song,” Seether; “Forget You,” Cee Lo Green; “Grenade,” Bruno Mars; “I Still Can See Your Face,” Barbra Streisand and Andrea Bocelli; “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Carrie Underwood; “Let It Go,” (from Frozen); “Make You Feel My Love,” Adele; “My City of Ruins,” Bruce Springsteen; “The Prayer,” Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli; and “Teardrops on My Guitar,” Taylor Swift.
Greatest Hits: The 2000s for Piano, Over 40 Modern Pop Favorites,
Alfred Music, alfred.com
Tascam DA-3000 is designed for stereo PCM/DSD recordings at high sampling frequencies. It can record analog and digital signals up to 192 kHz PCM or 6.5 MHz DSD to both SDHC cards and UDMA supported CF cards. Featuring a wide variety of inputs and outputs, DA-3000 can connect to all types of studio equipment, including audio interfaces and mic preamps. Analog inputs include XLR and RCA jacks and digital connections include S/PDIF RCA coaxial and XLR jacks. BNC SDIF-3 inputs and outputs support DSD digital connections. You can synchronize multiple units together by interconnecting their digital inputs and outputs.
Brilliant jazz guitar innovator John Abercrombie is known among jazz musicians as a composer of compelling, well-crafted tunes. Now for the first time, he has selected 34 of his original compositions to be available in book form. Chosen from 35-plus years of recordings, great tunes such as “Ralph’s Piano Waltz,” “Just In Tune,” “Convolution,” “Sound Track,” and “Wishing Bell,” are laid out as individual lead sheets. The book includes Abercrombie’s personal, sometimes hilarious, recollections about each tune, plus some of his unique guitar voicings with annotations, analysis of his compositional techniques, and a complete discography.
Timeless: The Music of John Abercrombie, Gazong Press,
gazongpress.com
The Auralex MudGuard v2 Microphone Shield isolates mics, eliminating external noise bleed and filtering out external overtones. Its unique, multi-radii convex shape is designed to direct unwanted and off-axis acoustic energy away from the mic, eliminating unwanted colorations. The 16-inch wide, 10-inch deep, and 14-inch tall MudGuard is made of Auralex Studiofoam to reduce excessive room ambience and off-axis sound. It mounts easily to most microphone stands with the included hardware.
The best way to learn to play a song on guitar is to watch someone else play it. Alfred’s Guitar Sessions series books center around detailed instructional video lessons that teach you how to play rock ’n’ roll’s greatest songs through step-by-step teaching. The accompanying books provide supportive written lessons and TAB. Plus the discs include PDF transcription sheets with TAB and notation for each song. For example, with Guitar Sessions: Electric Led Zeppelin, you’ll learn how to play Jimmy Page’s parts to the group’s classic tunes. Also available in the series is Acoustic Led Zeppelin.
Alfred’s Guitar Sessions: Electric Led Zeppelin and Acoustic
Led Zeppelin, by Alfred Music, alfred.com
V-MODA REMIX Bluetooth speaker delivers uncompromising sound quality in a highly portable 7.8-inch wide design. Powered by a glass-fiber diaphragm and long coil drivers, the speaker features a rear-mounted bass reflex port for an accurate, clearly defined sound that’s powerful enough for monitoring use, for mobile recording, and production. It also comes with a built-in VAMP headphone amplifier. But the most amazing thing about REMIX is that every surface of the speaker is customizable through 3D-printed options.
Joe Allard is considered one of most influential and brilliant woodwind teachers that ever lived. For more than 40 years he taught at The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and New England Conservatory. His students included jazz greats, as well as many first chair players in major symphony orchestras. Over the years, Allard’s teachings have become legendary and now for the first time you will be able to hear him teach lessons. This book put together by Local 802 (New York City) member William Meade includes 18 lessons with audio tracks that cover some of his key concepts. Listen to Allard’s teachings first-hand and discover this amazing teacher for yourself.
Joe Allard: Lessons from the Master, by William Meade,
joeallardlessons.com
Output Inc.’s Platform desk was designed to provide a functional, affordable, and stylish work area specifically for studio use by musicians, producers, and composers. Uniquely tailored for music production, key features include a bridge for studio monitors, 9U of rack space, sleek cable management, and an optional pullout keyboard tray. Made in the USA of 100% wood from renewable sources, its clean, modern aesthetic makes it a stunning piece for any studio or office. It is available in natural or hand-stained Kodiak brown.
