Addix Metzatricity Posted September 11, 2003 Share Posted September 11, 2003 Hey Wally... How would one go about joining the AFM? What I mean is... How does it work? Do you just go on a big list? Or are there people that are actively trying to place the best people for the situation? "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 A lot depends on the AFM Local where you live. The AFM does require locals to have some form of a referral service, some have an employee running it, some are web based. Where do you live? Include the county since the local jurisdictions are described by counties. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted September 12, 2003 Author Share Posted September 12, 2003 Originally posted by Wally Malone: A lot depends on the AFM Local where you live. The AFM does require locals to have some form of a referral service, some have an employee running it, some are web based. Where do you live? Include the county since the local jurisdictions are described by counties. WallyBaltimore County, MD. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfmonkey Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 The AFM doesn't actively get you gigs, if that's what you mean. My local has a musician referral service, but it's not that great. I have no homepage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted September 12, 2003 Author Share Posted September 12, 2003 Originally posted by surfmonkey: The AFM doesn't actively get you gigs, if that's what you mean. My local has a musician referral service, but it's not that great.No, that's not what I mean... Here's an example. Mr. Maestro is looking for a Double Bassist. He goes to his local AFM and says, "I want a seasoned Double Bassist". (Here's where the question comes in) Scenario A: Mr. Maestro is handed a list of all the Double Bassists and is left alone to make a decision based on pieces of paper. Scenario B: Mr. Local-AFM-Guy says to Mr. Maestro, "I know of three Bassists that would fit your needs perfectly. Here they are." Which is more likely to happen? "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 It can come down both ways depending on the situation and the person who is giving out the names. In our office I probably know more about how well and what styles our members play, although I couldn't possibly know all of our members. Some locals may have a rotation system. The goal of a local should be to have an understanding of their member's playing. It wouldn't help to give out the complete list when there may be players that just play folk music and the person is looking for a jazz player. One thing that you can get from a local is a list of the contractors and leaders. Some musicians after joining will send out a promo pack to contractors. Also, it's good to attend meetings and functions of the local for networking purposes. surfmonkey, what local are you in? Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfmonkey Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Our local referral service (which you sign up for) categorizes players by instrument and style(s) (which you specify). Your Mr. Maestro would be handed a list of all the players signed up in that style. Depending on the person working in the office, they can make recommendations, or not. I don't know how many people call up the union looking for players, but in my experience it isn't all that often. Or, the gig's aren't that great. Just my 2c. Originally posted by Wally Malone: surfmonkey, what local are you in? WallyLocal 47, Los Angeles I have no homepage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted September 12, 2003 Author Share Posted September 12, 2003 Thanks guys. I found my Local 40-543. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Originally posted by Wally Malone: surfmonkey, what local are you in? WallyLocal 47, Los Angeles [/QB] I just read in their newsletter that they have revamped that whole system. It seems that the person running it before was also contracting jobs, definitely a conflict of interest. I do think that referral services work better for groups with good promo materials than for individual side-musicians. I believe that all should keep in mind that one must learn the workings of the union to make it work for them and not just join and sit back waiting for the phone to ring. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted September 12, 2003 Share Posted September 12, 2003 Originally posted by Addix Metzatricity: Thanks guys. I found my Local 40-543.Addix, Jack Hook is the Secretary-Treasurer there. When you talk to him tell him I said hi. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted September 12, 2003 Author Share Posted September 12, 2003 Originally posted by Wally Malone: Addix, Jack Hook is the Secretary-Treasurer there. When you talk to him tell him I said hi. WallyIf I meet him, I'll be sure to pass that on. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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