talkmagic.co.uk

There are a number of things to take into account when using a mirror.
Some have already been detailed.

1. Do not forget that you are seeing a mirror image; everything is
opposite in the mirrow.
2. When you concentrate on watching anything in a mirror your actual,
real timing goes because of your concentration on what is happening.
3. And, as has been said, the blink, the squint, often causes you to miss
vital things. It has been said mirror practicing helps cause 'telegraphing
the move.'

IF you must use a mirror JUST to check moves or handling then make yourself up a 3 sided mirror i.e 3 mirrors hinged to open
out, as on the old dressing tables.
These should NOT be large mirros as in full length.
You want mirrors approx. 12 inches square. Then you will ONLY look & concentrate on your hands.
Easily made up from Mirror Roll. Stick it nto plywood or very thick cardboard.
They will also give you 3 angles to look at.

The best way really is to get a trusted friend to check your moves.
BUT if that is another magician warn him --it is YOUR moves to be looked at and not how HE does the thing.

Allen Tipton

distributedbysnopake wrote:Hey guys,

I know when working on my sleight of hand, the importance of practicing before a mirror and not looking at my hands directly. But I have read that practicing in front of the mirror can be deceiving, and that one should also practice for a rolling video camera and then look back at one’s performance.

Could someone explain to me why practicing in front of a mirror is deceiving and how performing for a camcorder solves this problem?

With a mirror as you can still your hands in your periphial vision and tbh the reason its there is so you can see your hands in the peripheal which defeats the object of leanrign to do it blindfolded (which of course is twoddle as there are many a false blindfolds(rant over) I only use a mirror untill I kinda have the sleight then I perform for my girlfriend.