
Some of you are right, some are half right , some are wrong. You sort out which.
1. The mirror does NOT give you what the spectators see. ONLY what ONE spectator sees IF he is directly in front of you ie. as the mirror.
2. Remember the mirror reflects your handling AS you see it from your point of view.
3. Watching in a mirror CAN cause your concentration to waver and can throw timing out. It can be a bit like the old, 'signalling the move'idea, if you are not careful.
Years and years ago in the ballet studio we had to CHECK movements in the huge mirrors but they were never the same when performed on the practice floor or in performance. Keeping in strict time to the music , performance adrenalin etc. often altered things; then there was interpretation etc.
4. A camcorder can be useful BUT the lense is a fixed eye and only sees the handling from ONE viewpoint and it is a viewpoint that cannot be misdirected.
5. SO learn the moves, learn the handling THEN use the mirror sparingly simply to CHECK.
6. There is a THREE sided mirror available to check angles BUT surely you could make one of these.This is simply 3 mirrors hinged together.
Magic is a SOLITARY Art. We rehearse ALONE. Why?: This is where Mini Mind Freak is 100% right about working it in front of a friend.
So, AFTER you've learned the moves, the handling and DEVELOPED some sort of routine rehearse in front of a trusted friend.
PREFERABLY NOT a magician (there is the odd exception) He will almost certainly say "But I do it this way " etc. YOU are NOT him. Find someone whose work you respect and trust and preferably someone with theatrical experience.
7. AFTER you have the routine polished and smooth, rehearse it in THE CLOTHES, EVEN THE SHOES, you will wear when performing, live. This will save much heartache, mistakes etc.Pocket , sleeve& arm hole sizes vary. Some shoes are more comfortable than others.
Being clever is not necessarily being good.
You do NOT necessarily need all the sleight of hand techniques in the world BUT if you are performing to others; an audience of 1 or 2 or 1002, adults or children, stage, cabaret, stand up,or close up, you do need theatre's techniques to PERFORM the stuff not just dem. it like MOST of those who instantly respond to the 'Show Us A Trick Brigade'.
Allen Tipton
Began magic at 9 in 1942. Joined Staffs M.S at 13. Nottm.Guild of M. (8 times President. Prog Director 20years)IBM. Awarded Magician of Month 1980 By Intern. Pres. IBM for reproducing Dante's Sim Sala Bim. Writes Dear Magician column for Abra. Mag.