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.
Thomastik-Infeld has released its new Dominant PRO DP100 violin strings, made to offer an additional, contemporary repertoire of strings to its existing Dominant lines. Ideally suited for chamber musicians, soloists, and orchestra musicians alike, the new DP100 series features a broad range of sound colors, good balance of brilliance and warmth, bell-like tonal character, high resistance to bow pressure, and a high level of dynamics.
With the baroque writings of Bach for solo instrument in mind, Beffa has created two freestanding movements to evoke that style. Copious use of doublestops enhance the cello line, as Beffa explains, just like strengthening the contour lines of a drawing using charcoal technique creates the illusion of volume. For advanced cellists.
Litanies (For Solo Cello), by Karol Beffa, Gerard Billaudot Editeur, www.billaudot.com.
The Yamaha SVC-110SK Silent Cello is an electric cello that
offers superior feel and tone with an acoustic-body resonating chamber for professional stage and recording performance—and silent practice. Features a unique resonating chamber, studio-quality on-board preamp and built-in reverb, spruce and maple construction, standard tuning pegs, and a sleek, protective gig bag.
This critical edition of Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro includes a preface with historical and performance information on the piece, including a comparison of the separate parts of all seven instruments to the full score with a list of corrections for each instrument. It has been published the way that it is actually played, making it clear to read and consistent with Ravel’s music and musical intent.
Maurice Ravel: Introduction and Allegro (for Harp), edited by Carl Swanson, Carl Fischer, www.Carlfischer.com.
The Cordoba 15CFM ukulele adds exotic flamed mahogany and striking color options to Cordoba’s best-selling ukulele, the 15CM. The all-flamed mahogany construction provides a full, rich sound and appointments like an abalone rosette and black body binding. Additional features include silver tuners with pearl buttons, premium Aquila strings, and a sleek satin finish available in four custom colors.
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.
Mainly developed for pizzicato, the new Perpetual double bass strings are also for arco players looking for a precise and clear tone with a wide variety of dynamics. The strings were designed to provide the player with a comfortable left hand feel, fast articulate response, and strong energetic tone. All strings are chrome steel wound on a uniquely designed and extremely flexible high-tensile steel rope core. A powerful and focused low end gives way to a full, sophisticated upper register.
The Humistat case humidifier model #1 helps protect your woodwind or stringed instrument against warping, shrinkage, peeling, splitting, cracking, and costly repairs. Measuring 2-3/8″ long by 3/4″ diameter (60.32 mm x 19.05 mm), the humidifier is easily refillable with water and guaranteed not to leak. You can see the water level and know precisely when to add more.
www.humistat.com
For the first time, jazz double bassist Ron Carter of Local 802 (New York City) puts down on paper what he has been doing instinctively for over 50 years: how he comes up with all those famous walking bass lines. Carter discusses how bassists can make their own roadmap to changing the changes and offers examples of harmonic variations using common song forms.
Behind the Changes: The Music of Ron Carter, by Ron Carter, Heights Music, www.heightsbooksandscores.com.
The Integrated String Player is designed for violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists of all abilities. It is a practical guide to improving coordination, technique, practice, interpretation, and concert preparation for all bowed instruments. Dozens of principles and exercises are demonstrated through more than 80 video clips on the book’s dedicated website.
The Integrated String Player: Embodied Vibration, by Pedro de Alcantara, Oxford University Press, globaloup.com.
