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Stop thinking about it, stop worrying about it, stop rehearsing it in your head with all the intricate moves played out and the myriad outs lined up ... just do it. What's the worst that can happen?

I'm a beginner and I spent at least ten minutes plucking up the courage, doing all of the above to show a trick to a FRIEND of mine that I'd never shown anyone else. I worked myself up and nearly bailed. Then I thought "what's the worst that can happen?" and just did it.

This was in my living room, with my hands burning friend. It went like a dream. It had an open TC in it too. I'm well chuffed.

But what was the worst that could have happened?

Nothing of significance.

Just do it.

Nothing builds confidence in performance like performance.

In future, I will be mostly just doing it.

I told you think way too much about things. As the professer said "Thinking kills magic"

The thing is when you think you slow things down and it looks like you are up to no good. Keep it flowing and dont think too much.

Good advice Marvell.

I could do with following your lead.

Every time I'm out my friends are asking me to show them a trick, and even though I sit practicing all week and have a pocket full of cards, coins, foldy things and double sided doofers, I always bottle it. Usually saying I have nothing with me ( a terrible excuse I know ) or I have given up magic.

I actually bottled out of doing table hopping at a Lord Mayors dinner once, regretted it ever since.

It took me seven double brandys to get through my local societys entrance test.

Just do it! ..mmmm... sounds good.

Just do it. some company could have that has there slogan now couldnt they?

OMG

Now we're going to have all kinds of young Magicians wearing sneakers so they can run people down and force them to pick the damn card...

Markdini wrote:The thing is when you think you slow things down and it looks like you are up to no good. Keep it flowing and dont think too much.

You're absolutely right. Of course, practice makes this so much easier. I did notice that as I got to the Top Change, which I've not done live before, my patter collapsed, right at the point I needed it most. This was for no other reason than the fact that I was thinking about it. I used the old "so, what have we done so far" line and got right back in there.

Here's another OLD SCHOOL quote:

Don't run if you're not being chased...


It's got more meanings than first meets the eye.

seige wrote:Here's another OLD SCHOOL quote:

Don't run if you're not being chased...


It's got more meanings than first meets the eye.

Or a veriation on that why run if no one is chassing you. Al Barker I think said that.

Anyhow Marvell when you perform the trick its you who is in control you set the speed. You make the climax of the trick its all you. So if your patter went to pot practice pattering while doing the trick and do it at a speed you can patter and do the dirty work at the same time.

The problem was that I worried about the sleight and the patter went to pot. It never did that in practice

Alot is about confidance, getting out there and showing people when you first start out is terrifying. I rememeber carrying my cards around for about a month before finally showing the routine that I'd been practiceing for about 3 months.

Even now, showing a new routine scares me but I know I've practiced it, it's looking good, there's nothing more that I can do until people see it.

My experience is that the patter is more important than the sleight. I was doing a few tricks at a company dinner a couple of weeks ago and totally missed a DL, I just caught one card. I knew I had done it and just kept talking while I re did the thumb count. Nobody noticed, they didn't know what I was doing or what to expect. I have also caught an extra card doing the same thing in a transpo where I needed the third card. I just put the cards back on top, said " I'll just cut them first" did a false cut under their noses, carried on with the trick and nobody even noticed that I lifted the same card as they had already seen!

Talk and get eye contact. If you have eye contact they are not looking at your hands.

I consider myself new to magic and to this day, I have never had anyone willing to help me, to be that critical person I need to show me where I went wrong. My wife doesnt like me doing magic.

I have only ever practiced to my spectators.. I think that has helped me come on leaps and bounds.Sleghts I wasnt sure I had down, when I pulled them off or seemed to my confidence grew and I just run with it now.. Yes we all make mistakes from time to time and we learn from that.

I usually practice on girls/women at night.. they are less likely to be that 'In your face' spectator.. In the last two weeks I have two women take my number to perform at their b'day party next year.. March and August.

BUt anyway.. I agree. practice till your confident and JUS DO IT!! If you do get caught on a trick move on.. even come back to it.. its unlikely they will connect the two if the time has passed on quite significantly.

Marvell wrote:In future, I will be mostly just doing it.

By Jove, missus! I do believe you've got it!

That's yer actual bona zen, Mr 'Orne

Some times it takes a while for the french drop. Ooo now theres a segway.

I.D wrote:In the last two weeks I have two women take my number.

And you wonder why your wife doesn't like you doing magic