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Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me a few tips on new things to do with these, as basically all I've been doing is really repetitive and boring.

I have a 4 ring set, one normal the other three gaffed, when I bought them the guy showed me a very cool routine, but all I've been able to do is simple linking/un-linking. I looked around to see if there were any videos I could try and emulate but most of them seem to with be rings that have some mechanism as opposed to the ones I have.

What can I do with these that is impressive?#

(Edited slightly by Mods to avoid exposure of the gaffs)

Did the guy you buy them from actually perform what is in the instructions? If not did you buy them from a magic dealer or just off some magician? I ask because when you buy from a reputable dealer he should be demonstrating the routine that comes with the instructions. The dealer can then go into other stuff jst to show what is capable with them after some research and time. If he showed you what is in the instructions then obviously it wasn't so boring because you purchased the effect. If he did not present what was in the instructions then go back and bitch (wondering if I can use that word) as you bought an effect based on what he showed you and you couldn't possibly accomplish it without the instructions. There are plenty of dvd's on the market. It is all in the routining. But the effect is pretty much always going to be the same. Solid Rings penetrate each other, and with imagination they can penetrate other things as well. But I'd stick to the basics for now.

The other question you need to ask yourself is who is it boring for? You or the audience? Keep the routine short is my advice.

Last and probably not least. I rarely see this effect done well. Usually the magician just doesn't know when to stop. I've said this before on here. Paul Daniels did the best Linking Rings I ever saw. It was two rings and a little girl. The routine centered around confidence. At first the rings wouldn't link. Then he gave the little girl an invisible but powerful confidence pill. Every time she took one she was able to make the rings link or unlink....with a little help from the magician of course.

With the exception of a few rings. Most of the gimmick portion of the rings are pretty much the same. And are the same as the one that came on your set. Most of the DVD's and books focus on the same gimmick you have.

Just an idea of what you can achieve with a lot of practice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGTd0doo5c0

Not my cup of tea but he is GOOD.

This is more of my style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOni1NPQe7M

Added: Personally, unless you can have a lot of variety in it, I wouldn't advise linking/unlinking it more than two times. It tends to get boring quite quickly.

Also look into Shoot Ogawa's Ninja Rings DVD

You can buy it here:

http://www.world-of-magic.co.uk/magic.asp?id=869

For a performance video -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71IfyxNDof0

Note - the first link from the above poster is Shoot Ogawa's routine, but the differences in execution are night and day.

The dvd is excellent, and Shoot's explanations are clear and easy to follow. While this routine is highly advanced - a beginner can pick this up and dive right in without trouble. It will take a while to master - but it is an incredible routine.

Dai Vernon's "Symphony of the rings".

If you like the Linking Rings, I would probably see if you can take the ones you got back, and get a full set of 8 rings instead. With a little thought, there's lots you can do with just four rings, I don't always use all 8 rings in my act, and a routine with fewer rings can be just as entertaining, and certainly less cluttered.

I would certainly try and find Paul Daniels' linking ring routine listed above, also, Jeff McBride's Commando routine is very good, but again, you would need a full compliment of rings to do all of it - although there's no reason why you cannot mix and match bits of it with fewer rings. Offhand, I think that Aldo Combilini's routine also uses a smaller number of rings. Also, Terry Herbert does a fantastic comedy routine with the Linking Rings as the Great Stupendo (or there abouts).

Tarkov, a magician that regularly performs at Monday Night Magic in New York (Demitri take note), also does a very nice routine.

You can also create more interest by having an interactive routine, with one or two spectators helping you (maybe just one if you've only got 4 rings).

For a basic DVD, with a varied number of routines, the World's Greatest Magic Linking Rings DVD is hard to beat. It's got Jeff McBride, Aldo Combilini, and a few other routines on there, so plenty of variety, and ideal for the beginner.

There's a very good 8 ring routine in "Hugard's Magic Manual" (Dover).

Barry

Hats off to bmat who writes: " I rarely see this effect done well."

And it is VERY rarelly done well.

The problem is that it doesn't so much end as stop.

After you've linked one or two rings, the audience gets the idea; they're not morons and you don't have to link all eight. (But good taste and common sense aren't to be found in great supply among magicians

The late dead of the Society of American Magicians, Jay Marshall, once brought down the house at a magic show where about four magicians on the bill had already done the rings.

He came on stage with a set of rings in the crook of his arm. He looked at the rings. He looked at the audience. He THREW the rings off-stage, into the wings. He got a standing ovation!!!! A deserved one, at that!!!!

Thanks for all the replies.

bmat: Unfortunately I can't even remember if they came with instructions. I bought them a long, long time ago in Covent Garden and recently found them again, without any instructions. Taking them back isn't really possible as I live far from London.

I watched some of Shoot Ogawa before making this thread, and the guy who imitates his routine. The problem is that I'm fairly certain they are different rings, as some of the things those guys do definitely will not work with what I have. It's annoying that I can't explain this properly, as undoubtedly all of you know how linking rings work anyway, but my original post was already edited so as not to 'expose' anything.

Another question: how should I be holding my key ring? For some things it is much easier to hold it with thumb and forefinger, but for other things it's easiest to hold it with all my fingers, with the key bit at my pinky. Also, how can I switch this position without exposing, or looking very awkward?

It's difficult to say much in public but PMs are always private so any specific details can be sent by that method .

Shoot Ogawa does use his own specific rings (the ninja rings) but his routine can be done with ANY rings of the same size. In case you're unsure, pm me the brand of your rings and I'll let you know.

The best way to learn hand positioning is to see if performed (at least that's how it was for me). Learning from written instructions will work, but I have found the visual element really helps with learning the rings. All of the resources mentioned for learning will teach you the basics of handling, as well as how to work with the key ring.

You might also want to check out the World's Greatest Magic DVD for the linking rings. This is an incredible resource as it teaches you all of the basics, but also shows you 5 different performers and their routines - some using more or less rings - which will give you a great sense of what is possible. It also teaches you the Symphony of Rings routine (recommended above).

Do watch Ross do it. It is very simple and clean
Jack Miller's Book will give a very diiferent handling
Also look for Ganson's book.

Linking Ring is a classic. It will last forever

I had seen VHS of Vernon years back. Don't recollect the title.
you will appreciate his ending and comment.

and guys you forgot to Voitko made routine
Flying Linking Rings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2QM3xeHMZY

Look up.

The Great Wong's Chinese Rings.. Davenports £9. with Roy D pics
Magic City Linking Rings for beginners
Burtini's L R routine ( Very old. I first saw it in1946 & performed it many times
3 Chinese Rings. Ganson Teach In Supreme
Mamma Mia L R Routine. Aldo Columbini 3 rings. comedy
Buck Clayton's 3 Ring Deception.
Whit Haydn's 4 Ring Routine. Prize winning comedy.
Four Rings. Jack Dean. a Keyless routine.with 4
Jack Miller's Linking Ring Routine. Mainly with 5. Old but famous moves.
Rings In Your Fingers by Dariel Fitzkee
A cheeky routine by Stanley Watson. Write to him c/o Abra.
Children's Linking Rings. 8. in Open Sesame by Eric Lewis & Wilf Tyler.
The Weber Linking Rings. a treatise. in Ireland's Year Book. Can't remember which year.
Hank Meester's 3 Ring Routine. (International Magic..silent)
The 5 Rings Of William. Billy McComb. Details: Abra Xmas Special 1947
Richard Ross's Linking Rings. Strictly for polished professionals.
The Ireland L R Routine. Magic Inc. Chicago
The Odin Rings ( one of the first in the UK) Davenports.
2 Rings. Johathan Neal Brown. Yes 2 rings only!
Al Koran's 3 Silver Rings. Short but massive in effect.
Wayne Dobson's Cabaret L R. 3 Rings. Brilliant routining. In his book Pro-File.
David Hemingway's Book on The Rings.
The Supreme 'Teach In' 3 Chinese Rings
and of course someone has already mentioned Dai Vernon.

BUT in the end, as with ALL the great Classic Effects [/u]It has to be your own routine. Borrow & adapt from published works but DO NOT STEAL from others.

Learn the moves & handlings thoroughly then develop a basic original routine. Perform it a number of times. RE LOOK at it after every other performance asking what can I add or take away?
Only add one thing/move/biz at a time until that is worked in.
A Classics Routine takes some years of experience & many performances to build up.
That is really the only way.

Most of the books I've mentioned (they're all here on my shelves except 4) can be obtained from Magic Books By Post.

Good luck.
Allen Tipton

in all books are max 8 rings

but few years ago i saw chinese magician picture with 14 rings

i will try to look for it...
but it could be really difficult to work with 14 rings