talkmagic.co.uk

(this really doenst apply here as much as it does at other forums, but it cant hurt. i have posted it at other forums and people seem to agree)
comments are welcome, some of you might even want to add something, be my guest.

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I am not sure how to really start this off, but this is a piece of advice from me and a lesson from my father.

Lately I have been seeing a lot of posts from people asking about what they should buy; ranging from people with money to spend or because they just want the newest effect or think that they will be better for buying many effects.

Its NOT need, its just not. Rather than buying every new effect, gimmick or dvd; work on what you have. Learn what you have and get it down at the very least halfway decently- method, performance, and presentation- before even thinking about buying a new thing.

If you have 3 great books, and “don’t have the time to learn them all well”, and then come on the net asking people what you should buy next, is ridicules. You should be buying anything new until you have what is in those books down.

When I lived with my parents, and I used my fathers credit card, he set down a rule. A great rule, that I still respect to this day and try to instill in many of you. (yet some of you don’t seem to get it.)
The rule was that If I bought, for example card college V1, I couldn’t buy another book, gimmick, or dvd until I had read, learn and performed 90% of everything in the book.

It might sound harsh, but it really isn’t. This rule has made me a better magician. I can perform 100 card effects off the top of my head because of this, and perform them well.

The amount of c*** (not the best) you own doesn’t make you a good magician, it doesn’t, make you special, or better than anyone else. Having all the new effects is nothing special either.

I see so many bad videos and I hear so many people complaining when the effect isn’t easy, or the audience catches how its performed, etc. Take the time to learn and perfect the effect(s).

This rule is good for many reasons; it saves you money for something worth it, it will make you better at the art, it will give you more respect for the art, it will give you more knowledge, and discipline.

So what is the lesson? For those of you that didn’t catch it- “Don’t buy any new stuff until your done with what you have.”

SO for all you out there that have books and effects that you don’t know, or cant perform very well, rather than buying new stuff, finish what you started. Accomplish something and learn something.

-something else i will address.

Buying single effects aren’t bad, sometimes there are great and original and worth it. But sometimes they aren’t, like instant downloads (except braves, his is not in a book). And a few other exceptions. But the majority can be found in a book or dvd with multiple effects.

And some things like the raven aren’t in books either (or i don’t think it is). And that’s a great gimmick, device, even though i don’t use one.

But first practice with it, learn the moves with it, the possibilities, then once you have it down with a good presentation... move on to a new item if you wish.

Just when it come to cards, most of the time, a book is the best bet. And some DVDs, like Daryl’s ambitious card.


I know this is kind of choppy and sporadic- So I will do my best to update it soon.

I agree with you.

I think that there are far too many magicians out there performing really badly and doing all the sleights far to sloppy.

Also I want to add something:

To become a better magicain don't try to learn many effects!!! Your aim is to entertain people with your magic. Learn a trick like Triumph, then perform it 1000 times live. Every time you perform you will pick up something. Maybe someone is going to say a joke about the trick while you are performing, then you should try to remember it and come up with it yourself in the next performance.

eg. I was performing Triumph with a quite boring story, but now I have actually a really funny and entertaining story which makes the trick much better.

So the more often you perform one trick to different audience the better you will get.

But do not forget to practice before you go out.

I believe this is a good time to bump this up...

I have seen a lot of posts and questions and complaints that this could help with, or at least explain.
(Not so much here, but it cant hurt.)

I will finally be adding more too it. (Actually I have already added a little bit).


The "moral" here is: "Not how much information you have, but what you do with that information".

If you buy tons of books, but only take a glimpse or skim them, your not reaching the full potential.
If you fully read the book, but dont take the time to really read and truely understand the book. Its a waste.

You can brag all you want about how many gimmicks and books and dvds you have. But that doesnt not make you a magician. ITs harnessing whats in those medians, and turning them into entertainment that does the "trick".

I'd agree with the whole quality, not quantity idea you have. I believe one of my first posts on this forum was asking about advice, for me as a beginner, for a book or something where I could learn loads of controls as people were figuring mine out. After being bombarded with 'Get RRTCM' I followed said advice and realised that it was my like of quality in the controls that let them be so easy to detect, and I didn't need to learn every control under the sun. However I'm sure this is different for you more experience magicians, just thought I'd throw my opinion into the mix.

MagicalJim wrote:I'd agree with the whole quality, not quantity idea you have. I believe one of my first posts on this forum was asking about advice, for me as a beginner, for a book or something where I could learn loads of controls as people were figuring mine out. After being bombarded with 'Get RRTCM' I followed said advice and realised that it was my like of quality in the controls that let them be so easy to detect, and I didn't need to learn every control under the sun. However I'm sure this is different for you more experience magicians, just thought I'd throw my opinion into the mix.

Every opinion is welcomed with open arms.

I do see where your comming from as well.