talkmagic.co.uk

Hi.

I'm just learning the Elmsley Count, but I could use some advice.

In Elmsley's description, he says that when you pull off the double card to count "2", you should separate them SLIGHTLY so that the spectator can see 2 cards....then continue. This is the way I've learned it and have it down pretty pat....I need more practice.

Does anyone out there do it this traditional Elmsley way? I think that it helps with the illusion as Elmsley advocates.

Advice anyone?

Thanks,

Gorkyo

Hi - the Elmsley has been discussed at length here, just do a Search at the top of the page and see what turns up. For starters, try http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic3725-0-asc-0.php

Thanks...lots of advice to be had! I guess everyone does their own thing wrt the Elmsley....just stylisitc differences.....

Thanks for the tips.

TTYL

Gorkyo

I have a short (5 minute ) tutorial video on how to elmsley cound properly. Its not the best but if you are struggling it will provide you with a good visual aid in order to refine your count.

PM ME

With this count I do not think it is speed that is important. Ive seen some rubbish Elmsley's done because they were quick and sloppy. Some advice I heard was keep the motions flowing then it does not really matter about the speed.

I'm a little confused abotu your question, but can offer some advice on the Elmsley count, adn other false counts done with packets.

The advice is simple and needs to be incorporated as early as possible.

Learn the Elmsley from natural, dealing position. It drives me crazy, and strikes laymen as peculiar, at best, when a magician suddenly puts a packet of cards at his finger tips to count them.

The count is easier at the fingertips, but not much. I was taught the Elmsley this way. Years later, I discovered the flaw. It is much harder to re-learn something the correct way than it is to learn it correctly the first time.

It's a small tip, but will make a huge difference in how your effects are perceived. Even if done perfectly, you never want the spectator to think "wait a minute" for any reason. Regripping the cards for no apparent reason will lead to that.

Take it or leave it. But, if you leave it, you'll come back to it. So, just take it now.

Love you all.

Intially I too struggled with the fingertip count.. For me it looked unatural and was difficult.

I took the advice and went back and worked out how I actually count cards (in an Elmsley way but without the sleight) and found that naturally I did it deep in the hands. From here I just added the sleight and away I went and worked out how to do using advice from all the lovelly people here and the various DVDs/Bookes etc.. so my style is a bit of a mish-mash but it looks natural for me and that's the point I want to make. I can get away with not doing it perfectly (maybe precisely would be a better word) but I can get a good natural rythm and beacuse it's bsed on how I would do it normally you can't tell when I'm counting the cards or doing the Elmsley and after all this is what it's all about.

So, like many here said to me.. work out how you'd count naturally and then add the Elmsley from there.

Slippery

Hi Thanks for sharing this very valuable insight into a complex sleight....I've been struggling with this for a few weeks now and I realize after reading your e-mail that what I'm really struggling with is that my moves do NOT look natural the way I do it now....so I'm going to take your advice and practice gripping the 4 card packet (ungaffed) and dealing it as I normally would and THEN work the sleight into this more natural dealing position.

Many thanks for sharing this with me.


Appreciative on a cold Canadian evening (-25C)!

Gorkyo.

Hooray for one less magician doing the Elmsley poorly!