talkmagic.co.uk

Like any move or handling it doesn't come quickly. If it does 90% you're wrong.
1. Practice. practice, BUT
2. Don't over practice. Set shortish definite times.
3. Most magicians when learning a newcard/coin/ball move etc. grip too tight.
4. Relax.
5. DON'T look at your hands, or even in the mirror till you have the
rhythm, the pace correct.
6. Simply with this try just pushing cards across, without the move,
to achieve the illusion of what the spectator thinks he's seeing.
7. Don't TELEGRAPH the move. This often happens with a slight pause, a
wrong look, and most of all a stiffening up.
8. If AFTER several weeks you are not happy,scrap it. Change the move
for one that fits you.

Allen Tipton

This has almost certainly been covered above, but for a move to look natural it has to look like there is no move happening at all. Practise with a mirror or videocamera or whatever and switch between just counting the cards (genuinely) into your other hand and doing the Elmsley. If you're doing it properly the two should look identical.

Also, if you do Elmsley/Jordan counts a lot, get into the habit of counting packets of cards in the "Elmsley style" so that when you use the sleight the spectator should be familiar with the counting technique you are using.

I like the previous idea of learning it with a packet trick, I personally chose NFW, it requires 3 elmsley counts, and you do get a sense of satisfaction from getting it right (not that I'm there quite yet).

What I would say though, as it says in the NFW instructions, is practise on 4 cards from an ordinary deck, rather than the packet trick cards, because you'll more than likely wear them out before you get this one down to pat!

I always thought that slow and deliberate was best too, however, I've seen a magician perform it quickly live and didn't even recognise the count, and the magician on the penguin magic videos also does it quite quickly, so there may be some merit in speeding it up just a little (I think the key is to keep the actions at the same speed)

remember that you're not alone. I would consider myself averagely skilled (worked my way through Royal Road without much bother) when I was doing a lot of card magic before, but I could NEVER get this move right.

The other tip I could give you, which I have found has helped a lot, is change the instructions you are using. Some are better at explaining it than others, and this too has made a difference to my elmsley

Do take care when using a mirror to check what you are handling. Your mind's eye is on watching therefore you don't see a true picture; the timing will be different, unless you are capable of performing two actions at once & analysing them both at the same time.
A Close Up Mirror arrangement using 3 mirrors, so you can watch side views, as well as the front view, was put on the market. You could of course buy 3 or cut them off a mirror roll and hinge them together yourself. Again remember you are watching, concentrating and working at the same time.

A video camera will enable you to watch, afterwards at your leisure and then analyse BUT remember it is a fixed shot at one angle, one point of view. Using a camera have a friend video it several times from different angles or if you are used to working, seated at a table, from where the other people sit.

Of course you could master the handling and then ask a trusted friend to view it, again from different positions.

Allen Tipton

I've just started to get my Elmsley to a convincing enough stage. Started off in finger tips but moved to to a palm grip, though for some reason I've found it easier to count from right hand to left (instead of the other way round which I normally do)

I have found that keeping both hands moving a little disguises any little flash that you might otherwise be spotted if the hands were stationary

I most certainly respect what Vernon has added to magic and I fully appreciate his place in the history of magic. And I enjoy many of Vernon effects. What I don't like is his performance, or performance style. And me thinks I'll stop typing at this point before I peeve off a lot of people.

For what it is worth, I practise the Emsley Count immediately followed by the Biddle Count. Each is different but each sets up the next.

Bigtone53 wrote:For what it is worth, I practise the Emsley Count immediately followed by the Biddle Count. Each is different but each sets up the next.

Seconded.

This way you get to practice two helpful counts whilst setting each one up for the other.
Two for the price of one!

It should be noted that the Elmsley Count at the fingertips was NOT the way Mr. Elmsley himself performed it. The fingertip count was used by others, and was popularized by Dai Vernon.

I used to practice the Elmsley in conjuction with the Jordan count - as each one leaves you set to do the other, and you don't need to reconfigure the cards in any way. I also found that it helped me gain greater control over the counts by practicing both simultaneously - it came much faster for me.

Personally, I think moving both hands causes more flashing. Keeping the movement of the hand holding the cards in the beginning to a minimum will prevent the cards from sliding apart - and it cuts down on the fishtailing, which is one of the bigger problems people have with the count.

However, this is all down to personal choice - so practice numerous methods at first, and try to find one that is the most natural for you. There are plenty of resources for learning this count - all of which will be unique in their own way - all of which will help you move towards the right technique for you.