talkmagic.co.uk

I have acquired a residancy doing Tarot Readings in a nightclub but I am finding it difficult to fight against the volume of the music when I'm talking to people.
I remember a few years ago seeing an amplification system that comprised of a headset mike plugged into a portable amplifier with loudspeaker that strapped around the waist. I believe it was called Loud Mouth.
I am not sure where to find this system or any equivalent.
Does anyone out there have any tips for this kind of problem? I just would like to avoid straining my voice over a period of hours in order to be heard.
I'd also be quite happy to consider letting the client wear headphones as an option.

Tarot Readings in a nightclub

havant they given you a nice little room to work in are you working on the dance floor.?

the magic attic do some nice units that would suit you and you can always flog them a recording of there session.
it seems a bit unprofessional to be fighting with the music, surley a better arrangment could be made with the venue.

I got an email from Alakazam today which had a new unit on there - I haven't looked at it so I can't comment, but it is battery or mains powered and comes with headset or lapel mic - that could be worth a look.

See here for info - http://www.alakazam.co.uk/acatalog/Hot_List_1.html

Do you ever feel inclined to tell someone they're going to die a horrible death?

Misanthropy wrote:Do you ever feel inclined to tell someone they're going to die a horrible death?

On my headstone I would like:
HERE LIES PAUL BELL
SPONTAINIOUSLY COMBUSTED ON XX/XX/XX

I think that's the way to go. Leave them something to remember you by.

On a more serious note, telling anyone when and how they're going to die whilst giving them a tarot reading is not considered good etiquette. One should instead scream and run out of the building, leaving the "sitter" to draw their own conclusions.

This noise thing has happened to me. It is a nightmare. In the end I gave up the gig. You cannot do readings in a noisy atmosphere and you shouldn't even try.

I once knew a reader who tried to do it at a night club. It was only one night and for several hours. It damaged his voice and he had to go to a voice specialist and I don't think he ever got over it properly.

It ain't worth it. And use of a microphone doesn't seem appropriate somehow although I could be wrong.

themagicwand wrote:

Misanthropy wrote:Do you ever feel inclined to tell someone they're going to die a horrible death?

On my headstone I would like:
HERE LIES PAUL BELL
SPONTAINIOUSLY COMBUSTED ON XX/XX/XX

I think that's the way to go. Leave them something to remember you by.

No, funnily enough I have never felt inclined to tell someone they are going to die a horrible death.
Your headstone would indeed be memorable, Paul... you might go down as the guy that spontaneously combusted at the end of a magical life, and to others you might be remembered as the magician that couldn't spell "spontaneous" ha ha (Sorry I couldn't resist! I know I'm being trite!).

VoodooMick wrote:Your headstone would indeed be memorable, Paul... you might go down as the guy that spontaneously combusted at the end of a magical life, and to others you might be remembered as the magician that couldn't spell "spontaneous" ha ha (Sorry I couldn't resist! I know I'm being trite!).

Yikes. I knew I should have spell checked that one. Sack the stone mason I say.

I have tended all my life to never or rarely use mikes. That was my actor's training However with moddern audiences you may have to but learn to use them properly. There is a simple article coming up in My Dear Magician series in Abra on using mikes. They've just published no.2, it is article/letter no. 21.

I bought my Loudmouth from Black Hart www.blackhart.co.uk
Mainly for Vent work now I'm older. This was a super model of it( cost then about £50). It has a battery charger BUILT in and lasts hours. Some models from other dealers, don't have the charger built in. It clips in seconds round your waist & does give you reinforced sound and most important, under your own control.
A young friend also made me a long extension cable so i could hook the speaker on a table if needed and roam its length.
Allen Tipton

magicdiscoman wrote:the magic attic do some nice units that would suit you and you can always flog them a recording of there session. .

You can View them both Here.

http://www.themagicattic.co.uk/catalog/ ... 11f4fcd974

Darren @ The Magic Attic

VoodooMick This may sound crazy but it is an idea.
IF the Tarot reading is one to one as opposed to everyone round the table listening in, would it be possible to have a mike clipped round your head then via a small amplifier go through to a set of headphones on your punter? A real private reading.Have to get 'Loudmouth' out and see if it takes phones.
A tech buff might be able to suggest a rig up.
Just an idea I had.
Allen Tipton

Thanks to everyone for replying to this query of mine.. Allen your suggestion of the client wearing headphones is a really good one, and it is a thought that I was toying with too.. like you said it would make the reading truly private and not broadcasted to those within earshot.. I still haven't made a decision about what to go for yet.. but once I've done so, I will write it up on here.. I think the best bet so far is these 7w amplifiers with headset mic that I've seen on Ebay in America for around £25.. they seem most cost effective option to date.
I suppose I've been stalling 'cos I have never used Ebay, and the whole American-Britain postage thing isn't too encouraging an issue either.
Luckily it hasn't been very busy the last couple of times at my gig so losing my voice hasn't really happened recently.

It was a wild but possible idea. The other thing that struck me was if there were several others present as well as making it more private, the idea of a one to one might intrigue them. To keep them interested you might say, " Here's his private 'reading', just watch his face to see if he 'likes' it "or words to that effect. This might help stop them trying to over hear.
Another wild idea. You could have a very small table( on a magician's table stand) and with the cards on it BUT your back to all of them.OR cast the cards in front of them, on a tray, then turn your back & put it on the small table.

OR, depending on the table etc. situation, cast the cards in front of them, then STAND UP to deliver the reading this puts your mike input a bit away from them. Of course you'd still tell them to watch his face, his reactions.

Might set your thoughts in other directions.
Before you go to USA even on E bay search the net for UK products.
Allen Tipton

Voodoomick, When buying electrical from the states, be sure that it will work over here. The power rating will be different, and UK power will blow them.

I share a shop with Portsmouth Sound & Light and they are forever having people bring in equipment that they have brought from the states and cant figure out why it doesnt work.

They have a massive range of sound P.A. .

www.discosuperstore.co.uk

Darren @ The Magic Attic

Allen's advice sounds like the best for this situation.
I personally would refrain from doing tarot readings in such an envirmonment, I think a private area is best for them as some people like them to be 'one to one'. Obviously if you are being paid well then it's worth trying to find a way to adapt to it.

I do tarot readings at a local 'psychic' shop where I use a room round the back so the atmosphere is good and it's completely quiet. I just went in and asked if they needed a tarot reader and as they hadn't had one for six months took me on.

If it's any help, I charge £25 per reading and the shop take 25%. Not bad for use of the room and cheaper than a table at a psychic fair. A lot of people in this environment use airy fairy Angel Cards and the like but the general feeling is your average client does not want this but are after a good old-fashioned tarot reading as they have seen in films and the like.