talkmagic.co.uk

Hi

I would just like to know some recommended books mainly for helping with performance, with sleights down now, and performances every single day to and from the way to work, I am comfortable approaching people and doing tricks without even looking at what Im doing.

I do still.. in my opinion.. suck at the patter lines!! I really do suck.. im not a comedian by a long shot, im more moddy and dark when i perform.. I give that uncomfortable stare a lot.. which actually comes accross more like flirting lol.. but i really need help with this. I am not nervous.. Im just not good with words.. in real life I dont talk much... either that or I act completely insane like I should be institutionalised!!

My problem is I talk EXTREMELY FAST even when I slow my pace down.. since I was 16.. 10 years ago I have been working on my pace.. so talking may just confuse any situation.. its hard enough for spectators to understand when I say 'Pick a card' so when it comes to storylines..??? !!!

Ok if you are not the jokey type that's fine. Do it how you feel comfortable. I would suggest being yourself first off, then see what works about being yourself. Sometimes you will do better than other times, try to replicate 'your best self'.

I'm no expert on speach, but I think if you actively think about the way you are talking and adjust your tempo accordingly you will see some changes. I have recently been trying to change my posture and portray better body language, and I just think every time i put my hands in my pockets, so I take them out etc. not sure if you see what i mean but that's my advice at this time...

I am similar boat ID, where I can perform but not much good with the patter.

STRONG MAGIC book has been recommended to me for this purpose.

What about adding some silent routines to your act e.g sponge balls while you work on the rest or just give yourself a strange sort of alter ego. If you do alot of bizzare magic or strong mentalism you dont need to talk much as the magic does the talking. Obviously there are different types of mentalism and bizzare but if you sort of make your act as a sort of freaky, wierd someone whose rose from the dead alter ego then you can talk to them a little about the plot but after that you can use the power of silence. This might not make much sense but im finding it hard to get my point across. Hope you understand and hope it might be of use to you if you understand.

You may be interested you may not, but check out Juan Tamariz he may inspire you. He is Spanish but does some of his performances in English which means he is using broken English and constantly asking others "how you say". He also speaks very fast. The end result however is a spellbinding show which keeps you (well me) captivated.

Hi ID

Had the same probs at work with the foreign guys not being able to understand me.
With the speed thing I just had to practice, also I mumbled and slurred my words a lot. I now have to concentrate on slowing down and speaking phoneticaly when I get to a long word so I can be understood. Thought about going to a voice trainer for a bit, acting shools have them. How now brown cow and all that. When I get some money together I might just get one lesson to get some ideas on where my speach needs most improvement.
With patter, I practise in front of a mirror, I know the words I say and time them to the routine, I'm not strict about it, but it's nice to have a line to come back to if I go off kilter. But (and this was very helpful to me) say the words out loud when you practise.When you say words out loud they have different timeings than when said in your head.
Also practise ad-libs. It's amazing how many performers do this, get ten or so that sound good off the cuff, they dont have to be funny funny, but some of my patter has asides and ad-libs put in to begin with, I can use them or not as I wish.

Good luck

I think that Darwin Ortiz's Strong Magic is an excellent book on that subject as mentioned in a previous post), I would also recommend Henning Nelms' Magic and Showmanship. As for speaking too fast, perhaps the technique used to help people who stutter would help. When someone stutters they are often told to sing what they are saying instead of just speaking it. You can learn to sing your patter without a melody so it appears as though you are speaking it. Thinking of your patter as a song rather than just patter, and if you imagine a tempo that is slower than your normal rate of speech, may be enough to slow you down.

Please note, I know that this technique is used to help people who stutter, and I have never heard of it being used to help people speak more slowly, but it seems to me that it just may work.

I work in telesales, and I speak perfectly fine when on the phone.. i just generally subconsciously speed up when im talking to people face to face.. but its no problem now.. ive developed a 'phone voice' years ago so i could sell like craxy without worrying about speed.. i have now developed a 'magic voice'.. i took acting lessons growing up and i have now developed my own 'alter ego' when performing so problem solved.

My speech is fine.. its just sped up to the rate 'gettin wildin with us and gettin rowdy with us' by busta ryhmes and Mystikal on his Album 'extinction level event'.. check out that track and you get an idea of what its like talkin to me I think its because Im so brainy my voice trys to keep up with my thought process

Ill check out those books on performace though.. thats what I was after