The best tip for magic learning.

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The best tip for magic learning.

Postby mysticpig » Sep 3rd, '07, 10:12



OK, nowadays, everyone is learning magic from the interenet, i am, you are, and thats cool, it works its easy its free / cheap. but one piece of advice, books are better. each book is packed with 100 tricks, and is half the cost of a dvd. i understand books may aswel be written in the form of incan, as they are so hard to comprehend, but it is worth it. the thing with the internet dvds and ellusionist / penguin magic, is they sell the famous effects, 2 card monte, and other criss angel, david blaine kinda street things. again i use loads of these, they work, but in reality, you have to be a certain type of performer, i mean look at david baline, and angel, they are "freaks" so the tricks work for them. the stuff in books lets you make it your own, and allow you to adapt it for yourself.

anyway there are some good dvds out there and old VHS tapes are worth checking out aswel, but books in general are the way forward.

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Postby Rob » Sep 3rd, '07, 10:20

Hey MP!

Interesting thread, but I would have to disagree with your statement that, "everyone is learning magic from the interenet, I am, you are, and thats cool, it works its easy its free / cheap".

Firstly, there's very little that can LEGALLY be downloaded that's free/cheap.

Secondly, a very great many folk would never buy instant dowloads...and there's plenty that simply don't like to learn from DVD's too.

Whilst I'm relatively comfortable with DVD's, I far and away prefer the experience of book-learning...as long as it's not one of those bloody eBook things, which I simply can't abide :evil:

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Postby mysticpig » Sep 3rd, '07, 10:40

yeh granted ebooks are dire. ive found a few sites, well normally people who teach tricks online via metacafe or other video means. and yes it was a huge generalisation saying everyone learnt from dvds. but the younger members of the magic world seem to prefer it. me being an exception.

thanks

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Postby Lady of Mystery » Sep 3rd, '07, 11:13

I think I only own 1 magic DVD but way too many books. I don't think I've ever gotten anything off the internet.

I like books because I find them easier to learn from. an sit in a quiet corner somewhere and just read, it's not that easy with a DVD.

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Postby Neyak » Sep 3rd, '07, 11:16

I don't think you're really that much of an exception among "younger members". I wouldn't call myself that old (20) and I do strongly prefer books, although admittedly I have used DVDs before. Nevertheless I find that once I have put the effort in of learning something from a book, I have a far better understanding of the ideas and principles involved because I am forced to think about it myself and not just copy moves displayed by the guy in the video.
DVDs often just give you a quick fix, especially the Penguin/ellusionist type, although there are a few good ones out there as well. I don't think that's news to anyone round here. I'm just saying it to make the point that I believe that there's also a considerable number of young people out there (like me) who do develop their skills mostly based on books. Although I do think that many of those youngsters out there wouldn't even know how to open a book, I think among those genuinely interested in the magic trade a majority will be prepared to learn the greater part of their abilities from books, if nothing else out of sheer necessity, while those who are just out to impress their friends at the next party fit into that category you describe.

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Postby da_danny » Sep 3rd, '07, 15:22

well I'm pretty young too, but I like to learn from books too, close to all the basics I know, from the dealing position over second deals up to the pass I learned all that from books.

I'm comfortable to learn from dvds either and I do it a lot but books have a better flair and it's fun too...


so long
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Postby dat8962 » Sep 3rd, '07, 15:37

there are pro's and con's for both books and DVD's and the main one for me is that books are a more easily transportable media for being able to read it anywhere without needing a portable player, power supply etc.

However, you get some good books and some not so good ones, just as you do with DVD's :wink: You also need to consider that some people find it more difficult than others to translate the written word into something visual where as with a DVD, they can watch and learn which makes this format more suitable.

I think that most magicians would agree that what works best is a mix of both. :roll:

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Postby majortom » Sep 3rd, '07, 20:11

dat8962 wrote:what works best is a mix of both.


Absolutely.

There are advantages to DVDs that books can't provide nearly as well.

Things like timing and misdirection are much easier to understand when it's actually demonstrated for you. I tend to think of DVDs like having a bloke give you a Hour+ magic lesson, except you can take the lesson as many times as you want.

I enjoy reading lots of magic books, but i don't always find it at all easy to learn from them. Often i'll read a long description of a sleight and still not having a clue how it's supposed to look.

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fair play

Postby mysticpig » Sep 3rd, '07, 20:12

yeh i didnt really know that many people used books, but im glad that you all do. and im not completly knocking dvds, i like some, and it is just opinion some people may prefer dvds more. anyway, don't knock it til you have tried it.

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Postby Schwen » Sep 4th, '07, 10:34

for me at the moment, the most important thing is, books are cheaper and better value for money. DVDs do certainly have their place though as I'm not sogood at the visualising moves and tricks in my head, and a good performance to an audience on a dvd is always inspirational and gets the juices flowing

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Postby dat8962 » Sep 4th, '07, 11:43

To answer the question of the post being "what is the best tip for magic learning" - I would say that the best tip is to study carefully by taking your time. Too many people rush which is an unfortunate trait of modern day living.

Remember the phrase "slowly slowly catchy monkey"? I think that this applies itself very well to magic. :?

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Postby greedoniz » Sep 4th, '07, 12:03

I have to say that I find it much easier to learn from a dvd. I really wish I found books easier as there is more material avaiable and at a cheaper price but I really struggle getting to grips with an effect written on paper.

I have been known to read an effect over and over whilst trying to follow the routine with the prop in hand and get completely lost and frustrated due to not getting what is trying to be said.
This I have never had on dvd as even if the person is talking gibberish you can always go by the visuals.
Ideally though I do perserveer with the books and have learnt many great things but damn are they frustrating

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Postby JAlexBrown » Sep 4th, '07, 13:34

Also it seems to me that different types of tricks are taught in both forms of media. Card tricks are commonplace in magic books, whereas DVDs tend to teach more...not sure of the word...visual(?) magic. You know what I mean. DVDs tend to cover penetrations and more complex vanishes. I know books typically include some sort of p**m in just about every book, but the more complex ones tend to come in DVD form. So I think the real issue here is which type of magic you're planning on performing. However, for the record, it does seem that mentalism is about 50/50 between books and DVDs.

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Postby superalexo » Sep 4th, '07, 17:34

I do prefer books because they are far more cheaper than dvds and are better value.

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Postby aavelyn » Sep 7th, '07, 16:20

well there are not only types of sources form which or whom you learn your stuff but also what type of a learner you are yourself, that must not be forgotten!

Some people more like to think and to create stuff on their own. They probably will prefer the books.

Others and I think it is the majority find it more comfortable to adapt, to imitate the moves and sleights from the videos plus! you get quite a better view how to move is done.
Years ago when I first encountered the pass, it took me hours to understand what it actually does...(k I was 12)

I do not doubt that does who read the books will more likely become the better magician, but it'll take a lot more time and effort AND patience...
something quite rare these days

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