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Too long or not long enough, not sure.

Around ten years. As for rate of learning can't remember really but I do remember struggling for ages with the Elmsley Count. Got it eventually but it took me a while. Like others have said people are different some can learn something in a couple of hours others may take weeks. I cannot do a classic pass. Well, I can of a sort but it's nowhere near good enough. The upshot is I stay away from any knuckle busting sleights. DL, EC, double undercut and some false shuffles and cuts is my mark.

Raz.

Since I was 6 (so 14 years), but have only been getting paid to perform regularly for the last 5 years or so. And I agree with everyone else when I say that A) There is no definitive "progress-o-meter" and B) The range of sleights you can do is in no way in correlation to your "ability". I also really can't remember where I was after 2 months of study so sorry I can't help with that Keep enjoying your magic and it will be a wonderful hobby for many years to come.

PS. I notice that you're currently working with cards. I've spent the majority of my time in magic working with cards, so if you get stuck with something or fancy a general card-oriented chat, then pm me (I can't guarantee that I'll be able to give you accurate answers, but I'll do my best! )

Tjex1 wrote:Hi

I have specialising in card magic purely for the last 2 months, and am at a fairly decent level (DL, learning lepaul spread, spring perfected etc) and was wondering how long it has taken you guys to get up to the level that you are now, because I am slightly concerned that I am not at the level that I should be at this time (as I only have one book, and the internet...).

What level were you at at 2 months, and how did you progress?

Thanks,
Tjex

Hi Tjex,

I think after two months all I could do was a basic injog shuffle control and a false cut or two.

I got a solid foundation in card work by spending 10-12 months on each volume of Roberto Giobbi's Card College (vol's 1-5). After that I spent the next 5-7 years exclusively studying the material of Darwin Ortiz (At The Card Table, Cardshark, Scams & Fantasies).

Getting good (and staying good) requires two things: time and patience. You're a relatively young fella, so try not to rush things! Make sure you get the basics down pat before moving on. This will save a lot of time in the future.

In terms of learning material, I strongly reccomend Card College. It is a five volume course that starts with the foundations and progresses to highly advanced work. As well as serving as a library of pretty much every card sleight you will require, many great routines are tought along the way. They are a little more expensive than average (£20-25 a volume), but they are high quality hardbacked volumes, each is 300+ pages, and you only need to buy one at a time. Working through each one will take about 6-12 months (depending on how much time you have to dedicate to practice).

So, remember, you've got all the time in the world to get great. Don't rush things and enjoy yourself!

Tjex1 wrote:Also, what other moves should I be looking into? I am staring to get fairly good at more the basic sleights and am getting to grips with the more complex shuffles, as well as being pretty good at other flourishes.

The thing which keeps me motivated to learn more is the reaction from other people, with only 2 months experience I can leave people speechless!

Unoess you want to be an armchair magician who does not perform then learn effects not sleights. Find an effect you wish to perform and learn it, including using gaffs or learning the sleights needed to do that effect.

Learning a bunch of moves without anywhere to use them is not what is going to make you a better magician. Learn something really basic and start performing. You can learn all the sleight of hand in the world. You can ever master those sleights better than anyone else. But if you can't perform then it is all for nothing. Unless you just like to sit around the house performing methods to yourself, then more power to you.

Here is what most end up being reduced too.

Cards
One card control
A good force
Classic palm
DL

Coins,
Retention vanish
Bobo switch
Some sort of false transfer
Classic palm and finger palm

Learn the above, in context of an actual effect and you are off and running. And probably running far ahead of the pack.