talkmagic.co.uk

Well, I've gone through Card College Volumes 1-5 a while ago and have been working on the sleights and feel the need to step up a little bit.

The only problem is... I don't know what to expect from more "advanced" card magic books. I've already gone over the core such as the pass, glide, buckle, crimp, false counts, etc... and am not sure if taking that extra step is worth the effort.

I'll work hard at an effect if I think that it'll amaze my friends (I worked on my pass for 2 or 3 hours a day for the past month) but if it's just doing the same thing, except in different ways, I'm not so sure if I should be going there. For instance, I could do a double undercut, a false shuffle, or a pass. In the end, the card is at the top, but I used 3 different methods, of different skill levels. The spectator doesn't really care how it got to the top, though.

So could anyone more experienced than I am perhaps let me know what to expect from these books which are so highly aclaimed? I've been piddling around in the beginner stages of magic for a long time now (so I guess that makes me an experienced beginner if that makes sense ) and would like to step up...if it's worth the extra effort and money.

making the leap from beginner to inter then advanced is a very rewarding thing. It can be very frustrating too. You may need a lot of practise just to get one move or effect correct. But boy is it worth it! some of the books by Paul Gordon are good but you really need to work at those.

Books like the Paul Harris series, John Bannon (smoke and mirrors) are all very good. I always say that the best thing about performing magic with regular cards is that you always have a trick ready. So when someone says "let's see the dodgy cards" you can pass them out.

you could also try some of the Jerry Sadowitz stuff "cards on the table" is a good starting point

Thanks for the quick input guys, but I'm actually looking for less where-to-go type of answers and more what-to-expect type of answers.

And no, I'm not looking for explanations of tricks of course, no exposure here.

Perhaps I should ask a more direct question.

As you become a more advanced magician, do you just learn better ways to do the same thing? Or do you learn completely new things that will blow people away?

I'd be willing to work as long as necessary for the latter, but for the former, I'm not so sure. I know that I'll never be a professional magician but still want to take that step if I'm going to learn awe inspiring things that are different than what is attainable through using only the basics.

it is really a case of both. Somethings you learn better, somethings are new. There are some very advanced sleights around that take a lot of practise and you will be surprised what you can do with a deck of cards! you may find (like me) you don't buy as many packet tricks. You may learn fancy cuts (if you wish), card spinning, and other wonderous joys Just put the practise in and you will be surprised what you can do in a short space of time.

fireshower wrote:I know that I'll never be a professional magician

You never know! i said that when i was your age but now i am. Just enjoy the magic and one day you never know. And remember you don't have to be famous or on TV to make a good living from magic!

Hmm...well I'm really a card magic monger soo...

I realize that I could just hop on down to the review section and pick up a 10 rated book, but are there any staple books that I must read? Or can I really just pick and chose?

For instance, the Royal Road is pretty much a staple (one which I missed in favor of card college, whoops)

it depends on the book. For example many of Paul Gordon's books do not explain some sleights and you are expected to know them.

Royal Road to card magic, Card College, Art of astonishment (paul harris) vol 1 -3. There are some good DVDs around as well.

Well I hopped on over to...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic12423.php

this thread over here and they're talking about Expert Card Technique, any thoughts on that?

[Edit] wow, I thought NO I CAN USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION seconds after hitting submit, what a pointless post