talkmagic.co.uk

Sorry for the overload of threads.. this will be my last!

This has been something that has been bugging me lately. Through doing tricks for friends, other people ask me to show them a trick occasionaly.

I'll usually do a card trick or two, but nothing really seems to impress too much, so I have been trying to think of tricks that would be good, seem impromptu and have them think 'wow he was decent', as opposed to 'he did a card trick'.

Some of the tricks I have thought of: Bill Switch; Stigmata; Third Degree Burn; Floating Match + Ignition Impossible.

Obviously not all at once, but these are some off the cuff tricks I suppose as compared to tricks anyone can do (in the sense that a card trick may be taken).

Can anyone suggest some others?

I'm thinking Ladybug and Paint Surprise can qualify too, but most of these tricks are in the 50$ price range.

If you feel obligated to do tricks for them, then any good impromptu effect should do. Personally, I always have a routine with the Acidus Novus always prepared on me. I did random coin tricks for a friend in band (I turned it into my valve cap, then back into a half dollar, then made it penetrate my shoe). If you have a fairly solid foundation in sleight of hand with coins, you're always prepared.

If you don't feel obligated, you can use this gag:
riffle or dribble thru the cards and tell the person "tell me to stop any time you like". You see where this is going, don't you? If the don't say stop, you can say that the don't seem to be in the mood and put the cards away and change the topic. If they do say stop, say "Darn, and I was just getting started too..." Put the cards away and change the topic.

Something with a TT, Misled by timothy Wenk, or some coin work will always fit the bill....

Invest in Tarbell.

Well, I just wrote a very large post about why you should get Tarbell, and realized that most would not read it, so I've decided to re-write it frank, clear, and condensed.

1. Tarbell is huge. Instead of paying $100 dollars for one effect (Ladybug) + 3 ellusionist DVD's (around $180-$190 we will say), you will pay the same amount for over a THOUSAND moves and effects.

2. Tarbell contains stage and close-up, so whether you need to learn how to make your French drop more believable for your friends right now, you'll be able to go back in 10 years and get the blue-prints to Metamorphosis (I'm pretty sure it's in there, but please correct me if I am wrong).

3. Tarbell (along with Mark Wilson's Complete Course and Magic) have a LIFE'S WORTH of knowledge in them. That means everything in there will last you YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

Sure, it will take you a day or two to find something that you think is "wicked cool", and seems impromptu, however you will be able to go back for years and years to find something new and still "cool" EVERY single time!

Trust me on this, and I am sure more people on this forum will back me up on this, do not make the same mistakes most of us have. I didn't have anyone to tell me what I was doing was wrong when I first started out in magic, the evidence of that is right on my magic shelf. I have DVDs upon DVDs that I got from Ellusionist or penguin magic that I have NEVER used and have long forgotten. However the things I have gotten from Mark Wilson's and Tarbell (along with some other very good books) I have not forgotten in over 2 years (and some effects even longer than that!).

I realize that this supposed-to-be-short post ended up a little longer than I wanted it to, so I hope you didn't drift off into space (I know I would!). Just make sure that you, and anyone else who thinks they need to buy the latest thing from E or Penguin to be greatest, knows that you don't.

Good luck to you and your magic. Feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail if you are ever stuck on anything; if I can't help I'll be sure to push you in the right direction or find someone who can (and that goes to everyone reading this message).

Let us know what you decide to get!
~Magically Dave
www.davidrysin.com

I agree that there are many tricks - maybe many thousands of tricks - that could impress on the fly...

There are tricks that will never elevate above skill or trickery into the realm of magic. Many tricks can - depending on the presentation. I'm sure you have already discovered that some magi have a knack with certain effects, and are able to get a much better response from an effect than someone else may be able to attain.

So, yes - enjoy your journey of discovery, trying to find powerful pocket tricks that will astonish your audiences. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be too quick to throw away the cards as being a very useful tool of astonishment. There are several methods and effects that remain very strong. A spectator names a card, and it suddenly appears at the top of the pack. A spectator selects a card - you can't see it - maybe you never touch the deck, yet you can divine the name. Red Hot Mamma, is a killer trick. A strong ambitious sequence with a card to impossible location can be very strong.

On the other hand, many of pick-a-card tricks tend to have some weaknesses. The spectator can already anticipate what you are going to do, etc. The ability to find a selected card, in and of itself, is not the strongest magic.

So, I would pose a suggestion, without wanting to be presumptuous. Which card tricks are you doing? What can be done to make them stronger? Are there other card effects within grasp in terms of mastery, that could be very strong?

I am not suggesting that you should not expand your arsenal of props and effects. I am only suggesting that there really is some killer card magic within reach that could provide a possible partial solution for you.

I do several card effects regularly, but none of them are typical pick-a-card tricks. The ones that involve "pick-a-card" all have an extraordinary twist to them. I also (and this is just my own preference) avoid anything flourishy - I want to create a magical moment, not a display of skill. I know this is a controversial subject - it's just my own preference.

Best of luck on your fascinating journey!

David - a lot of what you have been saying I have also been finding on my own. I have a few ellusionist dvd's which I haven't watched more than once. Their marketing is (well I've learned now, so 'was') just so good/tempting! So I know what you mean and am working around it ahha.

Steve- you raise a lot of good points. one thing i'd like to make clear is that yeah I have some card tricks that fry people, especially if I can have a quick minute to sort through my drawer of cards. I was basically getting at people whom I might not see again. Whereas I can do a variety of tricks for friends so they see magic in that way. The person who says show me a trick though, who I may not get another chance with, is the one who I'd like to bring out these ones we mentioned. Just something so they would remember ' the card i chose was on his arm when i squeezed it!' or, 'his fingers blistered to the card i was just thinking of' as opposed to, 'he did a card trick which was ok, but i can't recall it'

on a side note, i think I'll be picking up your card catcher, in which case I'll always have a impromptu miracle for blowing minds

I'm quite surprised (and to be honest, a little amused!) at the idea that you would consider walking round ready to perform either "Ladybug" or "Paint Surprise" when someone just says "show us a trick then" (I suppose Ladybug is designed to appear impromptu, but it certainly isn't something you can perform at the drop of a hat!).

I would go for a short and sweet coin trick, because you would be likely to have coins on you anyway. I actually use 2 unspendable coins (a half dollar and an old English penny) so that kinda contradicts the idea that I'd have them on me, but for some reason the fact they're still coins seems to fly. I do a very basic but still magical "2 Coin trick" (one in the pocket, jumps back, same again, then a total vanish - from a Carl Andrews tape) but it's ideal as it fits in your pocket no probs, meets the demand to just show one trick but is also an ideal opener (it's my standard opener anyway).

Ideally you want something that plays right out of the pockets with no set up, so something like Holy Moly or 3 Ring Circus - both pretty powerful, but use recognisable objects, both pack small.


Certainly 3rd Degree Burn, especially if you have a reason to be carrying a lighter... easily carried in your pocket and is a very strong effect. Infact, I might get mine out again...

I'm thinking Ladybug and Paint Surprise can qualify too, but most of these tricks are in the 50$ price range.

I would not put Paint Suprise as impromptu the can is a little large to take to the pub lol, Ladybug is impromptu and a good effect.

I went to the Pub in Cardiff where I now live to watch the England rugby match (Only Englishman in the pub) I did a bit of "Watch stopping and Kevin Parker's Psnype, Ok they made a impact. But the one that made the biggest believe it or not was Matchbox Penertration. A cocktail stick throu a Matchbox, then the Matchbox is open then empty out a Solid Brass block.

I got the matchbox trick off TM second hand £3 I think lol I am not saying this it the best trick ever it worked on that night, try not to think of EXspensive tricks think of what may impress. I have been offerd 3 bookings and more in the pipe line just from that 1 night. Also invited back to her place by 3 women lol (But I was good and went home lol)

I Hope this helps TC All

whats wrong with a sealed envelope prediction, and a card force eh? eh? eh?

TT vanish and reappearance every time! It's amazing how this gets people when done correctly.

Then I do a bill switch and a coins across routine! All strong effects and you only need to have a £1 TT on you

I am quite shocked at the elaborate nature of what people consider 'impromptu' magic!

From a VERY simple arsenal, you can get literally hours of entertainment:

A deck of cards
A couple of elastic loops
A TT
A Sharpie
Several spongeballs
A coin unique
A double-headed coin
A PK ring (if you're that way inclined)

In fact, I managed to keep a whole bunch of people happy at a 'lock in' a few weeks ago with literally a regular deck, a double headed 10p and a TT.

Ranging from the 'Many to one' coin effect with the 10p, all the way to a really basic torn and restored £5 note (yes... a £5 note... just retrieve the bits and magic tape them back together!)

I believe so strongly that complex gadgets, gimmicks and the like are killing good old-fashioned 'MAGIC'.

To me, impromptu magic isn't something that you go out INTENDING to do. It's like a jam session on a guitar, or a game of chess... it should just naturally evolve from your own character.

Usually, I don't plan magic when out with friends at all... but making sure that I have a few utility props on me is a great help.

Example: tomorrow night, I'm out in Shrewsbury with Mrs Seige and some of our dearest chums. I guarantee that I'll be dabbling in magic by 10.30. So a few select items from the list above will be on tap. (PS, if you are UNFORTUNATE to be out in Shrewsbury on Friday night, I'll be the one standing at the bar with a deformed looking hand... great practice for your classic palm is to hold a half dollar the whole night and not get caught

There are hundreds if not thousands of effects out there that can impress and astonish but the one thing most people leave out of the equation and therefore fail to really make impact is presentation.

Take for example a pick a card, lose it in the pack and find it again. To do just that and provide a basic commentry will not affect an audience.

It's a feat for sure but it has no bearing to the specatator other than a puzzle or a quick trick. If you were to add a story or a setting, somehow get you audience to become emotionally involved or using your narration get them to believe how impossible what you are about to do is.

I too am only recently coming to the conclusion that I personally own enough material to keep me going for a lifetime but instead of studying performance and fine tuning the routines I already know inside and out I have been looking for the next thing to 'Wow' the audience.
We all already have that within us if we practice and hone the skill of the performance its self.

Can I just say that saying this I still am compelled to buy stuff from time to time

There is a great example of Paul Daniels doing some magic in the Zoo (magazine) offices and all the routines he does although basic (apart from the behind the back CF)get great reactions...all down to performance.

It is so true... even though we're tempted by the 'next big thing', I do find it's more to broaden my scope as a creative thinker rather than to broaden my arsenal of stuff in my pockets.

Give me a regular deck, two skeptics and let me perform Elmsley's Power Poker and then CONVINCE me that the two weren't entertained and bewildered.

a deck of cards and a few mentalism 'no prop' effects... mental magic is the way forward.. or pure mentalism.. whichever..

deck, tt, loops if they are your thing and a supersharpie and peek wallet. thats my arsenal.. in my head i have a few things which require no props.. just good presentation so thats extra.

seige wrote:
Example: tomorrow night, I'm out in Shrewsbury with Mrs Seige and some of our dearest chums. I guarantee that I'll be dabbling in magic by 10.30. So a few select items from the list above will be on tap. (PS, if you are UNFORTUNATE to be out in Shrewsbury on Friday night, I'll be the one standing at the bar with a deformed looking hand... great practice for your classic palm is to hold a half dollar the whole night and not get caught

Unfortunately, I will not be anywhere near Shrewsbury on Friday, as I am up in good old Cumbria for the week. Perfect for a bit of magic I think. By the way Seige, a killer effect to pull in Shrewsbury would be to be able to make the flood waters recede "just like that" (when they next appear obviously).

On second thoughts, you'd better not, that's what I have to use as a case study for my Daearyddiaeth AS exams!!