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I want to use sponge ball effects, because I think there great in a close up routine and work well in street magic. I just get off put with people saying that its difficult and needs plenty of skill and practice, is this true that it needs plenty of skill? It doesn't bother me because I know with everything in magic the more you practice the better you improve. I just want to give it ago can anyone suggest what books etc are ideal for a beginner in sponge magic, and what sponge balls to use because theres so many different sizes and shapes.

The acknowledged best sponge items to use are by Goshman but there's a bewildering range of books/DVD's to choose from. http://www.penguinmagic.com/europe/prod ... urce=20548 might be a basic one to start with and it's not too expensive from Penguin at the moment. Having said that, there are several folks here on TM who are into sponge ball effects and I guess they will be posting their recommendations soon.

I'd say sponge balls are fairly easy. At least the sleights can be quickly learnt, it's then dependant on presentation and routine. Personally I'd go for a DVD rather than a book.

yeah what toad says.

and i only use two vanishes for sponge balls and a basic finger palm and a twist multiplication so magic with sponges is not complicated to get you started.
and you can get some great final productions like ball to rabbit my personal favourate and ball to square, colour changing ball to square and ball to big number four etc so go for it and feel free to pm me for suggestions if i can be of service.

Perhaps the best I've seen is Daryl's bird & Bunny sponge balls. Has all that regular sponge balls offer with a bit extra esp in the area of humour.

However if I was just starting I'd go for regular sponge balls and then maybe move to these later. Sankey also does a version using ear plugs, basically a yellow tube shaped sponge ball. Not that it's a ball, but you know what I mean. He does a DVD to go with it that teaches the routines and all the basic moves.

I have these Sponge Rabbits and for now, they are all I need, and I thoroughly recommend them!

Yeah Zack,

I do think the addition of a cute animal adds something. Your one is similar to Daryl's but his also has the ability before the rabbit multiply end to change from a rabbit to a bird and back again with no sleights needed.

Hi

Learn the retention of vision vanish - good for coins and sponge balls.

Paula

A simple sponge routine is very easy to learn, but you'll need a fair bit of practice.

There are actually a lot of different moves you can do with sponges, but you can have a great routine with only a few.

The "Earplugs" video/DVD (wish I had it on DVD ) by Jay Sankey is good. It's a nice, funny routine and will teach you some good sleights. You also get a nice "big" finish.

You can even buy yellow sponge balls, so you can do a shapechange and then move into a ball routine. Then of course you could do, for example, a "Spellbound" change and use red balls, leading into cubes, a large ball, rabbits or whatever.

You asked what size and type. I'd say that, if you can, use 2" ones, rather than 1 1/2" ones, simply because they are more visual. You might find them a bit too big for your hands, but you need to try. I don't have big hands and I find Gosh 2" supersoft sponges fine for most purposes.

That sort of gives you a clue as to my answer for your question about what type. Some sleights are easier to do with the regular density sponges (Spellbound would be one, I suppose), but I think the majority are better with supersoft ones.

So, I suggest your first purchase is a set of red or yellow 2" supersoft sponge balls. Try them out (Gosh ones have a basic routine in the packaging, or they used to). If the sponges are too big or too soft (or both), you can get another set.

i agree...good thing is,they are relatively cheap,and come with instructions..

so goshman is just a brand? I saw shops with 1" balls and 1" balls goshman, but both had the same pic. got me quite confused


Also, "Multiplying Sponge Balls" is sold as a set. I thot it was sleight of hand? They come with regular sponge balls instead of soft ... wonder if that's no good to begin with.

To clarify for you Option, Goshman is just a brand!

Multiplying sponge balls is sleight of hand but of course you need more than one . It depends on your skill level as to how you perform them and hence why some come with a gimmick to help those who haven;t yet developed the necessary skill level. However, the gimmick can only be used in a particular way which isn't suitable for all multiplying ball routines due to it's construction.

Shops selling one ball and then one ball Goshma with the same pic may well be the same balls. It can depend on how old the stock is, particularly if the packaging has changed and then you have potential scenario's where Goshman could have sold their balls to another supplier, without their name on the box. Best option is to ask to handle the merchandise to find out which sits best in YOUR hands.

I see. Well, I'm buying online so I can't really show them my hands. However, from what you say then I'd prefer to not rely on a gimmick - it's just not as 'magic' if its self working..

Plus everyone here is saying to get the supasoft ones anyway.

There is a good sponge ball routine in Paul Green's in the Trenches.

I need to get some small balls

A god start is with a basic set of four balls, 1 and half inch are good. I wouldn't get the multipliers yet (I also prefer the wooden mulitpliers). I have been using a routine which was written in 1973 by a guy named Kozak. It is called 'The Master Routine with the Sponge Balls'. It appeared in a booklet called Sponge Ball Manipulation by Audley Walsh. I got it for 3.50, so it might be a bit more now.

It uses four sponges and a 'magic purse' (a frame of a change purse). The routine is excellent. I did it last night for the millionth (okay maybe not) time and got a great reaction since the balls actually multiply in the spectator's hand. The routine ends wih all the balls vanishing.

Good luck!