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Hi, I am not so much looking for tips on a trick but I am after some advise on how to do all the chit chat that goes before, during and after the trick. The trick are not a problem at all I am just worried about getting the chit chat that goes with it totally wrong.
Thanks

Uhm, the 'chit chat' you mean is called patter.

Now is there any trick in particular that you need help with or just your overall patter?

Try using the search function because there are some threads on this...

These should help I guess:
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic9012.p ... ght=patter
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic8501.p ... ght=patter
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic5941.p ... ght=patter
http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic5265.p ... ght=patter

Hmm I think this is about the 6th time in 2 days I tell people to use the search function...

AJ - whatever the point of the trick is, make your patter relevant, tell the story, like you are setting a scene in a film and the cards are the actors...

i find writing myself a little script very useful, easier to practice then...

Hi AJ. Knowing a bit about the way you prefer to communicate, would it be more comfortable for you to reduce the amount of chit chat to a minimum and make the effects more visual?

Hi Tomo, yes very much so, the less speeking the better. I am getting better at talking but still not grate. Visual effects would suit me better.

Alex.. the best way to start using patter in effects is to start with effects that are self working... that way you can forget about what your hands are doing and concentrate on what your mouth is doing. then once you get used to doing both at the same time then you can start on more complicated effects... but to be honest the best advice is still (alltogether now).... PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE.... its like playing guitar and singing at the same time..once you've played the same tune a million times then you can sing along cos you just forget about your hands.

Thanks for the adive Mog, Self working tricks hear I come...
Practice practice practice is ok if your brain has the ability to command your moth to move and produce speach. I have been through many years of speach and language therapy and was told at the ripe old age of 18 this is as far as I will ever get with my speach Yes I am still very much working on it and hopefully they were wrong and it will continue to improve but it will never be 100%. Its not confidience its shear ability I lack for the simple fact my brain is not the same as yours. But yes self working s a good way to go and I will practice practice practice as I do want to beat this. many thanks for the advise.

I went to a speech therapist when I was younger, but I still have difficulty with some things. For example, when I say " three" it can sound like "free". My th's, f's and V's don't come out right.

I am self concious of this, so I try to script round it to a degree.
Before you start scripting, see if you can identify the areas that cause you more problems. Start off the begining of your performance without using these word or sounds. I find that if I have to use them, I will use them part way through the show. That way, I am less concious of any problems, and the audience don't seem to notice it much either.

Once you have a good reaction near the start of a routine, you will feel more confident about using some of your more troublesome words later on.

One more thing. When you are practicing, I am even more aware of the way my speech sounds. Most people are surprised when they hear a recording of their own voice, as it sounds completely different than when you hear yourself. I hate the sound of my own voice when I hear it recorded. Before the last show I did, I practiced with a Cd playing, gradually turning it up a bit louder each time, which helped and gave me more confidence to raise my voice to a reasonable level. When I am not confident, I tend to mumble, which only makes me even less confident, etc, etc.

Alternatively concentrate on tricks which don't neccessarily require a great deal of patter - tricks which, in fact, patter can hurt. Linking Rings, ACR, CMH ie strong effects which are obvious.

Pitto, Ummm Linking rings... CUPS again Good idea though many thanks.

Darrel, The part I have most differculty in just speaking, its hard to explain.

Like Mog said practice practice practice I guess

People can give you advice on what to say and how to act, but always remember to be yourself. I havent performed any magic tricks to anyone (with the exception of a few Sinful performances) as I'm still learning the basics with cards and sleights and what not.. but I have an idea of what my patter would be like. I'm very sarcastic. VERY sarcastic, so I'd base my patter around sarcasm. I also have a fake-ego. I always act cool and act like I'm the best person in the world.. but 99% of people know that I'm just joking around and having fun. I'd do a trick and say "Is this your card?" and when they say "yeah it is! *shock*" I'd say something like "Of course it is. I'm f'n awesome" which makes them laugh and makes me laugh and we all have a jolly good time!

Well, thats what i'd probably do.. we'll see when I actually perform

I can relate to your problem somewhat as my speech pattern is slightly slower than others and I too saw a speech therapist when I was much younger. It makes me nervous to talk to people. I would suggest that you know your patter (write it down if you have to) and speak clearly and slowly and make eye contact with your spectator (s). Singing sometimes helps too. Make a few jokes and have a laugh that usually relieves some of the tension