talkmagic.co.uk

( I have looked through the other threads, some great tips but perhaps someone would care to cast a glance over my post, also I dont think there is anything in my post that someone with a basic interest in magic wouldnt know, please edit if neccessary)


Hi all, I will be posting in the intros section tonight but I thought I'd float this one now whilst I have a minute. Perhaps a brief introduction, my name is James and I live in Devon. I've been dabbling from about the age of six, I was performing small shows at local events etc at around 13. I was greatly influenced by Supreme Magic in the local area and I was a regular at Edwins Magic Arts before Edwins sad passing- they couldnt believe this small boy buying up Jungle Jamborees and Presidents Ladies!. Combined with performances by Ian Adair magic was truly Magical in Bideford. I had some fun and some setbacks performing as a young un! When I was 16 I was employed by a local hotel as a table hopper and now at 22 I'm trying to improve mainly for my on enjoyment.My hands are bigger and most of the knucklebusters I remember are quite a bit easier now! However, this little beast is still a bane to me. I've hated it more than the pass for so long I'm setting myself to conquer it! Now my dl is fine and fairly natural - nobody's ever picked me up on it but its a matter of pride I think!!! Long while back I bought all of old Daryl's card sleights and ambi card. Loved them and set me on my way but I had to create my own mechanics for the double based on what I'd got from his tapes and Expert card and royal rd.I do a quick thumb count setup and a Larry Jennings Snap DL, but instead of the stupid reach in rubbish that Daryl forced upon me with a vengence I push down on the top angel in the middle of a Ride backed which buckles the "single" card out slightly. Then when I want to show the car I have a 1mm wedge top let corner I can push against, the cards glide over the fingers tips up, pivoting against the base of thumb keeping all square and rotate face up. This push off looks exactly the same as my usual push off. Problem is I have busted this bad boy for 12 long years on and off and Im still not happy with it. There is a brief moment when the "single"card is only gripped by the bottom left corner as it bumps over the fingers on the right sie of the deck. Sometimes I get the y can separate slightly, so pivoting and flexing to keep aligned. I hate this slight separation, I only do 2 doubles in a ten minute routine just because I know every bu**er knows it and they're burning my hands for it. People say it to me during the routine, its cringeworthy so I built a routine to use the double when its least expected. I picked up a great tip on timing from an old Gosh booklet, the setup for my DL is always done at moment of revelation, commiting to memory, signing - ooh feels good to have the time to relax that thumb! The ammount of times I've seen people doing it under peoples noses fully being burned by spectators! Apologies I digress, I guess I'm after some pointers, I'll make a video (didnt realise it was so easy with that utube thing) But for the time if someone is willing to spare some emails I'd appreciate someone to help me with maybe making this DL stronger or suggesting another natural looking DL similiar in style - a push off. Setup not particularly important just the effect I think - well - everyone wants the perfect one don't they?!! I'm happy to "prove my knowledge" If you like.


Many Thanks for wading through my wafflings,

James

http://media.putfile.com/James-Snap-DL-Variation

Just took a quick vid, (until I did it with a ridicuous pauseduring the turn to try and highlight what I was doing at the end) there was no spreading, is this like anything so I could adapt it slightly to make it more secure. Although the quality isnt tip top, you can see as I slide the cards off there is no control if they do decide to spread, at the moment its just years of "feel and touch" I want a bit of security on the right side. They are gripped in the bottom left (point of pivot) but until I get my right hand up to grip the top right corners as they swing out they are free. It is only a split second as you can see but anyone who understands whats going on can recognise I want this to be a bit more secure. I should mention this has never failed yet, but in the interests of improving it I feel it should be more secure. Also noteworthy is that I show the cards fully popped off the fingertips on the right side, this is for illustrative purposes. Although they pop off as part of the snap setup, the thumb on top presses them down again quickly so a break is maintained with ring finger....check the photos for how it looks when Im doing it. I've exagerated the setup a bit, but its still quite clunky, hence timing. So there you go. Any comments??

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