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To overcome my fears all I had to do was perform in front of a group of my mates. Seriously, if you can perform in front of and impress my mates you can perform to anyone! That's because they're the worst spectators ever they're loud, they look out for everything and critise you on everything. But once I overcame these my fear of performing to random strangers just went.

One great thing about WHSmith's playing cards is you get a Joker that is holding a King of Hearts...yes, you know the rest.

Force, dl and bang, they all wanna see more.

Another fantastic opener that always hits hard is the card to mouth - not m******, the other one.

I use 40/60 by daniel madison as it gets spectators hands on and involved. I've been working on Joel Paschall's Believe to kick off with but found I was destroying too many cards to perform it too often.

If I'm in a mentalist mood then I'll go with Bad influence from Madison. Yes, I do use alot of Daniel Madison stuff!

I think even the most prepared and knowledgeable Magician will get hit with nerves and not because they don't know what they are doing its just that when we perform we get pumped up and adrenaline starts rushing and that's when your nerves hit you. Look at it like this, people who sky dive still get an adrenaline rush no matter how many times they jump and that's the main reason they do it. Its similar to a Magician, no matter how many times they have performed it just seems like the adrenaline rush makes your hands shake even if you know exactly how and what you are doing. I'm not saying this is the case for everyone because there probably are some who are nervous because they don't know how to perform their tricks correctly. But either way I believe magicians have to deal with nerves no matter how experienced they are.

Mexicub wrote:I think even the most prepared and knowledgeable Magician will get hit with nerves and not because they don't know what they are doing its just that when we perform we get pumped up and adrenaline starts rushing and that's when your nerves hit you. Look at it like this, people who sky dive still get an adrenaline rush no matter how many times they jump and that's the main reason they do it. Its similar to a Magician, no matter how many times they have performed it just seems like the adrenaline rush makes your hands shake even if you know exactly how and what you are doing. I'm not saying this is the case for everyone because there probably are some who are nervous because they don't know how to perform their tricks correctly. But either way I believe magicians have to deal with nerves no matter how experienced they are.

So adrenaline rush makes you shake. You know what you're talking about right? If so, then I must be one cold, lifeless person

I have the other problem, I have all the confidence but lack ability…. It does not come naturally.. and when I perform only every now and again the skill get lost..

Noodlesoup wrote:

Mexicub wrote:I think even the most prepared and knowledgeable Magician will get hit with nerves and not because they don't know what they are doing its just that when we perform we get pumped up and adrenaline starts rushing and that's when your nerves hit you. Look at it like this, people who sky dive still get an adrenaline rush no matter how many times they jump and that's the main reason they do it. Its similar to a Magician, no matter how many times they have performed it just seems like the adrenaline rush makes your hands shake even if you know exactly how and what you are doing. I'm not saying this is the case for everyone because there probably are some who are nervous because they don't know how to perform their tricks correctly. But either way I believe magicians have to deal with nerves no matter how experienced they are.

So adrenaline rush makes you shake. You know what you're talking about right? If so, then I must be one cold, lifeless person

With a reply like that I'm guessing you don't perform for people. If you've ever performed for people you would know that adrenaline does hit you. I've been performing magic since I was young in elementary, I always performed Magic and I was into Music and plays. No matter how long Ive been doing it I still get that adrenaline rush, that's one reason I love it so much. It seems like you are a lifeless person because you obviously don't know what I'm talking about. I have read many many books in my lifetime and I have read from many experienced magicians, a lot of them talk about the adrenaline rush they get while performing and how their hands shook because of it, so yes I do know what I'm talking about you just don't have enough experience to relate to us magicians.

I do want to know how old you are Fort? If you are 21 or older you could take a shot of your favorite alcoholic beverage, many magicians say that helps them, just don't take any more or you will mess up your performance.

I'm 34, Mexicub and I find a stiff drink can work wonders in most circumstances unless it involves operating a threshing machine. I actually don't suffer particularly from nerves when performing, it's just that first trick that can be difficult I find. I wouldn't like to get to the stage where I'm totally calm as I think I'd miss the adrenaline rush.

Just out of interest has anyone seen Freak by Will Houstoun? http://www.andigladwin.co.uk/products/freak/ I'm not sure it's really my thing but is intriguing. Might be a good, nerve free opener in a bar and may be of interest to some of you?

I see. I myself don't drink but I still get hit with nerves and adrenaline even though Ive been doing it for so many years. I believe the first trick you do should not be too strong, the best thing is to start off slow with something simple, then get into the more difficult and more amazing tricks. Unless you're doing walk around and you can only do 2-3 tricks per table for example then it should be your most amazing tricks you have. But if you're going to do more than 2-3 tricks then maybe you could try a g****d effect for the opener like Ultimate Monte, then move into your "miracles". I think people should be warmed up so when you perform your miracles they accept it. If you do your miracles to start with the spectators might not accept it well and not enjoy it as much. Also when you start off don't tell them what you're going to do exactly just start your performance and guide them through it. After you're done with that initial trick spectators will put their guard down and accept the miracles that come after. If not they will have their guard up and that's no fun for anyone. Another great tip is keep your patter to a minimum. Sometimes the more you talk the less effective the effect will be. Try to let the magic speak for itself and include patter to help the routine, don't make the routine your patter then the effect seems secondary. Or you could do an ice breaker which I use sometimes and I'll share it with you.
What happens is this, tell them you're going to do the fastest card trick in the world. Take the 2 jokers and hold them in your left hand if you're holding the pack with your right. Ask someone to name any card in the deck no matter which one it is. Tell them that as soon as you ask them their card, that card will appear in between the 2 jokers instantly. Right before you ask their card you place one Joker on top of the deck in jogged a good amount. Then ask them which card they are thinking of and at the exact same time you place the other Joker out jogged underneath the deck. What will happen is that they will name their card and you will spread the whole deck and show them that no matter which card they chose every single card is in between the 2 Jokers. I have done this so many times and I always get a great funny response and I say" I told you it was the fastest trick in the world" with a smile.

Mexicub wrote:

Noodlesoup wrote:

Mexicub wrote:I think even the most prepared and knowledgeable Magician will get hit with nerves and not because they don't know what they are doing its just that when we perform we get pumped up and adrenaline starts rushing and that's when your nerves hit you. Look at it like this, people who sky dive still get an adrenaline rush no matter how many times they jump and that's the main reason they do it. Its similar to a Magician, no matter how many times they have performed it just seems like the adrenaline rush makes your hands shake even if you know exactly how and what you are doing. I'm not saying this is the case for everyone because there probably are some who are nervous because they don't know how to perform their tricks correctly. But either way I believe magicians have to deal with nerves no matter how experienced they are.

So adrenaline rush makes you shake. You know what you're talking about right? If so, then I must be one cold, lifeless person

With a reply like that I'm guessing you don't perform for people. If you've ever performed for people you would know that adrenaline does hit you. I've been performing magic since I was young in elementary, I always performed Magic and I was into Music and plays. No matter how long Ive been doing it I still get that adrenaline rush, that's one reason I love it so much. It seems like you are a lifeless person because you obviously don't know what I'm talking about. I have read many many books in my lifetime and I have read from many experienced magicians, a lot of them talk about the adrenaline rush they get while performing and how their hands shook because of it, so yes I do know what I'm talking about you just don't have enough experience to relate to us magicians.

I'm sorry if you didn't get my point. I do shake but it's because I'm nervous and it naturally happens especially I'm using a new trick that I haven't tested enough in front of people. Sometimes it depends on the people who are watching...so I do get shakes but it's by getting nervous.

I don't know why you've taken it negatively while I played all the jokes on myself. Oh well.

Argh the shaking happend to me today when i performed torched and restored today on my campus for the 1st time.

In my opinion its best to start with simple conversation and start with a simple mentalism like force a card and claim to get the card by esp or something like that. I find its better to ease up if you use a effective trick that requires NO sleight of hand. Then stepping up the level as you feel more comfortable.

As earlier stated it is possible that you nervous cause you dont want to mess up the trick and look extremely stupid, this can only be overcomed by practice 1st infront of a mirror then perhaps to the friends once you able to fool them then the trick is ready.
I find that doing the trick for a fellow magician also helps as they can tell you were sleights are weak and need to be improve or perhaps changed (if you can fool them then great should have no problems).

Also always remember NOT to stutter during your patter as it can lead to the audience attention drifting away from your words.