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hey does anyone know a good reference for learning the chinese linking rings routine?

cheers

Check these out for a starting point of some kind - I believe they are well-used throughout close-up shows - and, I figure, if you can do them close up, then on stage with a larger set of rings should be within the realms of possibility.

Ninja Rings

Ninja Rings DVD

I'm certain there are books out there that can help you too.

It might be worth simply emailing your favourite magic shop...

Royal Magic: Tricks with Linking rings DVD £9.99 - £10.99

I believe one of Jeff McBride's videos has a very good section on linking rings in it. It is the video that outlines his 'Commando Act'. I'll have a look around tomorrow and see if I can find it.

Giz

oh cool. i think i bought some on the street in china one time when i was 7. never really got to learn it, but i do want to learn sankey's three ring circus first though

Depending on what size rings you have (most of the Ninja derivatives will not work with larger rings) there are a number of places to look.

Dai Vernon's Symphony of the Rings book
Amazing Miracles of Shigeo Takagi (hard to find, but worth it)
I believe Aldo Columbini's book had a routine.

DVDs are more plentiful;

Whit Haydn's comedy four ring routine is excellent
Cellini's Lord and Master of the Rings
Chris Capehart's Three Ring Routine
L&L have a cheap Rings collection which has several routines, including Vernon's and Dan Fleshman's close up routine (a derivative of Yanagida's routine, known as Ninja Rings)
Tryy Seabrook's Magic is Entertainment (now from L&L) has a routine.
I believe someone brought out an encyclopaedic DVD on the rings last year, but details escape me.
Steven's Greater Magic Video Library has a DVD on the Rings.

Assuming you are looking for a DVD, I would recommend the L&L compilation and the Whit Haydn DVD.

Take care, Ian

IanKendall wrote:(most of the Ninja derivatives will not work with larger rings)

Oops. My bad. That's what you get for trying to advise someone without owning the items in question!

Thanks for clearing that up, Ian.

thanks everyone i'll have a good look at the ones suggested i really want to learn a nice ring routine since i think it would be a nice thing to have in my routine but finding a reference that suits is hard to find. I have the professors symphony of the rings routine on dvd unfortunatly the dvd i have isn't very good and is quite hard to learn from. thanks for all your references

Check out a book I'm recommending a lot of late - Kenton Knepper's Indirection. Some fascinating and valuable work and tips on the old Rings in there .

I would have to second the vote for Dai Vernon's three ring routine. I used to do the full eight ring routine, but his three ring routine is beautiful magic. It has all the essential features and a wonderful structure. Osterlind highly recommends it as well.

Figo,
There is terrific information in Dariel Fitzkee’s “Rings In Your Fingers”, Tarbell- Volume 4 and Jack Miller’s Five Ring Routine. To learn Vernon’s Symphony of the Rings, it is wise to buy the book. The routine is described adequately and will clarify what you have on your video.

Buying a set of rings and learning them is a little like buying a violin and learning to play. Someone once said, “It ain’t all in the books.” The same can be said with the DVDs. Find an experienced, skillful, qualified mentor who is willing to help you with the rings. It will take a lot of work and time, but your effort will be well-spent. You’ll have a great performance piece that you can use in most any situation.

Best of luck with the rings!
Gerald

Personally id recomend Jeff Mcbrides dvd 'The Commando Act' from his Magic on Stage set. It includes a routine with extra moves that you can use as appropriate. I think its great!