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I would like to ask fellow members what advice they would give to a newbie to sponge balls?

I know there are several DVDS and books available but as in card magic where Royal Road is like a 'bible', is there anything similar for sponge magic? Which DVDS are most suited for a beginner?

I know there is a section in Mark Wilsons Complete Course In Magic covering this but would appreciate any further opinions.

Cheers

Hi,
The routine in Mark Wilson is a great place to start, it gives you an overview of a few good, basic techniques.
Failing that, many people recommend Steve Dacri's Spongeball Toolbox.
I am lucky enough to own a copy of Garcia's Encyclopaedia of Spongeball Magic, and whilst it is a fabulous read, and has some great routines, 90% you would never use.
The Purse Frame is a nice prop to learn, and offers some nice options, depending on your availability of pocket space.
Personally, because of the audience reactions, I now only ever use 3D sponge bunnies, but the balls are great to learn.
Be creative with your routines....
The yellow ones can be pollen, the black ones (hacked around with scissors) can be cigarette smoke/tar particles.
There's also an L&L "World's Greatest" DVD.
I also have the 2 x "Jon Jensen" pamphlets, which are quite good if you can find them./jensenjonprospongeball1.htm[/url]
Otherwise - I am sure you will find something here...
Have fun
Bruce

Thanks Bruce, thats great info.

I have been looking at various DVDS, just wondered which ones were best for a complete newbie.

Thanks again

You will learn far more about Sponge Balls from Patrick Page's Big Book Of Magic than you will learn from Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic. Page gives you a number of different routines to choose from and some advice and teaches you a good number of sleights so that you can use the one that suits your hands.

Wilson gives you a very thorough routine but it relies entirely on the F**** D*** and a hidden third ball. Not everyone likes the F**** D*** and the hidden third ball can be a flaw in some close-up situations. My advice is to look at Pat Page's Big Book Of Magic in the Chapter on Ball Magic.
Pat Page also had a video on Sponge Balls but I don't know how good it is as I learned the basics of my Sponge Ball Routine from The Big Book Of Magic and created it from there.

All fair points above.
When working tables I often just place the 3rd rabbit (if required) on the corner of the chair next to their backside. It's shielded from all angles that way
Bruce

V.E. Day wrote:You will learn far more about Sponge Balls from Patrick Page's Big Book Of Magic than you will learn from Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic.

Seconded. I always use his "perfect" vanish - easy and angle-proof. But I use an extra angle form the Benson Bowl routine in "Classic Secrets of Magic" by Bruce Elliot.

Barry

Do you need a book to learn sponge ball magic? - I have a ten page booklet, that I've only ever glanced at. Just buy some sponge balls, and make something up.

I learnt one routine from a friend, and everything else I just improvised.

Bill Malone is a sponger of the highest order and his DVDs have a couple of superbly honed routines that Bill has been using for 20 years

The one i have is " here i go again" maybe its V1

check it out