talkmagic.co.uk

Hello. I'm kind of new at magic (I have a couple magic books and tricks, but I got them when I was way younger and they're the stupid, easy to figure out kind). Anyway, I want to get into the kind of magic that will make people baffled, but I will still be able to perform well. I was wondering if anyone has any good sugestions for tricks or props I should check out. I'm willing to spend up to $20 U.S. Dollars.
Also I'm thinking about buying 'The Raven' and I'm wondering if that would be a good trick for me to buy.

As with most advice given on here I would echo the sentiment of avoiding buying a one trick pony effect.
I would suggest if you want to perform a 'baffling' effect but are not sure which branch of magic you wish to do then go for "Mark Wilsons Complete course in magic"

It should be under $20....hell it might be under $10 and it will provide you with oodles of tricks to peform for a loong time

I'd avoid the Raven, it's fun for the first 5 minutes. Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic is a great place to start.

Books are always better value for money than tricks and I also strongly recommend the Mark Wilson Course.

I came across Mark Wilson relatively late in life - I wish it been around earlier! My first magic "bibles" - both still around and highly recommended - were Hugard's classic "Modern Magic Manual" (now reprinted at a bargain price, as are many other magic books, by Dover) and (even better) Henry Hay's "Amateur Magican's Handbook". Here are Henry Hay's rules for choosing magic equipment:

1. Can you use it for more than one trick?
2. If not, does that trick make sense? How close is it to real magic? Does it scream "magic equipment - fake?"
3. Does the trick make sense for me? Does it fit my style?
4. Can I do the same trick without the apparatus?

Hope that helps!

Barry

First up, magic costs money and up to $20 is pushing it a bit. Mark Wilson book is £12 upwards depending where your looking so look at spending at least $30, because whats the point in buying the book and not having any cards to hand

Mark Wilsons is an ok place to start to see where you want to go with it, but once you figure out what kind of magic you like, ie: cards, coins mentalism etc buy a specialist book.

Cards: Royal Road or Card College if you can afford it
Coins: Bobo's Modern Coin Magic or David Roth dvd series

start there.

My tip for getting lower priced books is to check ebay and Amazon's new and used section. I've bought quite a few books for under a pound on there. You can usually pick up Karl Fulves books for next to nothing on amazon new and used.

Get Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic.
And grab Royal Road to Card magic for less than $10 on book or as a download on Lybrary.com for 5$.

I recently looked through all the gimicky tricks I bought as a Lazy child magician. I felt somewhat unfullfilled, and decided to put a bit more effort into practicing an art, rather than playing with a hobby. I bought 13 Steps and Royal Road to Card Magic. I'm taking RRTCM very slowly and seriously, infront of a mirror for at least 1/2 an hour a day, deck of crads in my bag for the commute, in the car for long journeys, and in the loo.
I enjoy it all so much more and find it all much more satisfying. There are trick in Royal Road, but more importantly there are the techniques to allow you to perform miracles with a borrowed deck surrounded by people.

Books would be my suggestion, you can get so much more for your money.

Good Luck.
(I bought the Raven as a younster, and although it was great at the time, you really have to be patient and put the practice in to perform the best effects)

Hands up all of you (us!) who bought a Raven and after a few attempts, just put it at the back of the drawer promising to 'look into it more deeply at a later stage' but never did ?

...You been looking in my drawers again, Mandrake?

I suspect my drawers and yours contain pretty much the same selection of things which see little activity. Er, I may have to rephrase that a little.....

I've never owned one.
I Think I put it to the back of the drawer before even buying it.

.....and stop "innuendo bingo bombing"..hehe.

Funnily I almost always have my tucked away secretly when working the floor. Always good for a quickie....

are we still talking about the Raven?

I sometimes keep mine tucked away in my bag on a night out and get it out if thing are a bit dull and need livening up.

I used my raven a lot... for more than just vanishes.. but then realised that non-gaffed props like, my hands for instance, are much more versatile..