talkmagic.co.uk

Hi there,
I have posted here before but dont feel I got very much help. I live in Long Eaton (Derbyshire) and I'm looking for some magic tuition/mentoring. I know there are lots of very good books/DVDs etc out there, but I am the kind of person who NEEDS to be shown things. I have found with some books that diagrams/pictures really dont help me. I realise that time will need to be paid for. I am a private tutor myself so I also know how costly this might be, and also the importance of practice. If there is some kind soul out there who might be able to help out from scratch then please get in touch. Also if you might know of anyone who does give tuition, I would be very grateful. Yours sincerely, Ben


http://www.ben-henderson.co.uk

You know, I taught myself magic from books alone. In my day there were no DVDs and I never met a magician for two years after I started my studies. When I did meet them I was horrified to find out how bad they all were. To this day I thank heavens I never met a magician for two years otherwise I would have picked up their bad habits and been as bad as they were.

I am not necessarily recommending this approach since I am a particulary unique and special human being and what suits me does not necessarily suit someone else.

Oddly enough there is a surprisingly good market out there for someone who wants to teach people magic. I tried it once in Dublin and was quite surprised at the amount of beginners that wanted tuition and I gave private lessons for a time until I got fed up with it. And in Leipzig's day there was a fellow called Bennet who used to travel and stay in the best hotels doing nothing but teaching magic. He made a very good living doing this particularly targeting college towns.

Since Ben thinks this is the best way for him to learn I wish him luck with it. He should be very careful and selective as to who his tutor is though. Most magicians are bloody awful and cannot make the contents of an empty box disappear. They have as much conception of showmanship as a dead fish and have the personality of a dial tone.

Not that I have a cynical nature of course.

i just started studying magic a couple weeks ago.

As children are my primary audience, I'm focusing just on the easiest, even goofiest gags & cheesie gimmicks for now.

Hoping simply to practise over time & gradually improve my "bag of tricks" repetoire.

Well met,

Gonzo.

Thanks Mark, and having thought about I don't understand why there aren't more people willing to teach. Being a teacher myself I know there are different kinds of leathers: you're obviously brighter than me as i am the kind of person who needs to be shown physically what to do!!

Any volunteers in my area?

How about the clubs and societies which were suggested on your previoius visit - were they unable to help?

Hi Ben,

If you ever want to pop down to Selly Oak, I'll give you a bit of a hand to get started. There's a local cafe ideal for this.

I teach circus skills mostly for a living. Just done a Birthday party in Loughboro today - not that far away from you. I teach magic occasionally to staff at youth clubs, schools and childrens centres. Great fun and £100 an hour to boot. Just simple magic. Lots of laughs the way I teach.

I shan't charge you anything of course. I first learnt magic at juggling conventions. Jugglers have a great tradition of giving free workshops at get togethers. It's good for the soul!

Kevin

Mandrake, I think I overlooked your contribution to my other thread, however I did contact derby magic circle, and even though he was recommended to me as he was a friend of a friend the head guy was not very helpful at all. I shall contact some others from the link you posted and see how I get on.

As for your last comment, 'adapt to your style', well I dont have one! This is what I want the tutoring/mentoring for - to develope a magical persona.
I am reading a book by Jeffery Deaver called 'The Vanished Man'. Its a great book. The female character in it is being taught magic and developing all the time through not only tutoring, but mentoring as well. I do realise this is a big task to ask of someone, but I am more than willing to put the effort in as I know how disapointing it is when a student turns up having done no practice. I just really dont know where to start.

Okay, so Ive set myself a challenge of learning one trick at least a week. I am looking for some card packet seals, does anyone know where to get them from? I need green, red and blue. I would also be interested in some purple bicycles; do these exist? Many thanks guys. (Oh, and Im still looking out for some mentoring (Yes, I would be prepared to pay!) Kevin, thanks for your offer, but I feel that it might be a bit too far to meet up with you. However, I may send you a PM sometime.

This might help you in your search for purple cards;

http://www.thehouseofcards.com/bicycle_cards.html

http://www.bicycle-cards.co.uk/2007/11/ ... ycle-cards

For card box seals try www.cards4magic.co.uk - click on New Lines and in the Search box at top right hand side enter 'card seals', there should then be three options, select number 2!