talkmagic.co.uk

Hi

I'm both a complete newcomer to the forum and to the world of magic, having no previous experience or skills with magic.

It has always been something that has interested me though, although it had always looked quite complicated and so that is the reason that up until now I've not really looked into trying any magic myself.

I have decided I would finally like to try some out though, mainly card related magic. Where would you suggest I start? Is it a case of having to buy certain books or DVDs explaining card magic for beginners or is it a case of just looking on YouTube at card magic tutorials etc?

Also, could you suggest any other types of magic aside from card magic that I could practice as a beginner/newcomer?

Thanks for your help.

Hello.

You can go over to the introductions section of the forum to introduce yourself.

It sounds like you are really interested in studying and performing magic.

For card magic you can start by getting the book Royal Road to Card Magic. It is one of the most trusted sources for beginners in card magic.

As for other types of magic you could do coin magic.


For more information look at this thread on the forum...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic11561.php


Best Regards,


-Ben

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic11561.php is a good place to start.

Royal Road and Mark Wilson seem to be the most mentioned books. I think that most people start off with cards because they are cheap and easy to practice with, but coins will do. Or ropes. or sponge balls. or muscle reading.

Of course, you could just go into a magic shop with £100 and see what they sell you. there are lots of nice little self workers around. You will need quite deep pockets it that's your approach, though.

I'll let other vex about youtube (personally I like it).

I'd start off with books, Royal Road to Card Magic and Mark Wilson's Complete Course are the ones we all recommend by the looks of it. Those two books will give you literally hundreds of tricks and they are easy and cheap to get hold of.
You get more for your money with that type of book than a DVD and Mark Wilson's especially has not just card magic, but a bit of everything so you can find out what you like. This helps because it can be pretty daunting finding where to start, so Mr Wilson's book will help you find your feet.

Good luck with it, I hope you enjoy learning magic as much as I did/do!

If you want great explanations and a good solid knowledge base with which to learn from, (which you will really value in the future) and a good variety including card magic then pick yourself up a copy of Mark Wilsons Course in Magic, available wherever quality books are found.

Welcome to TM

Just take a look at the stickies. They contain lots of practical information specifically for those in your position. Good luck.

Just to sound like an echo echo echo!....Echo!

You can find Mark Wilsons in a local wh smiths or waterstones and I think its a great starting point, also you got royal road which alot consider to be their bible.

It depends on what kinds of magic interests you, but both are a good starting point.

TLS

Amazon Marketplace always has second-hand Mark Wilsons so cheap you'll laugh. There's enough in there to last you for months, really, and it covers a wide range so you can figure out what you enjoy and what you don't.

Then you can go on to single-topic books like the Royal Road to Card Magic, or Bobo's Modern Coin Magic, or 13 Steps to Mentalism, or whatever -- knowing that you're investing in the branch of magic you like instead of going at it all scattershot.

I have no interest in performing card magic at all and I still own RRTCM. Granted because I think many of the effects and sleights are cross transferable but for what you get for your money it's almost more expensive not too buy it.

A_n_t wrote:I have no interest in performing card magic at all and I still own RRTCM. Granted because I think many of the effects and sleights are cross transferable but for what you get for your money it's almost more expensive not too buy it.

Exactly!! Card College is my bible for it's complete-ness but Royal Road will always be my original scrolls!. And considering the difference in price you'd be foolish not to pick it up!

Hi again

I managed to find Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic for £2.74 (including shipping) on ebay, snapped in up straight away. It arrived today and it's a big hardback edition, looks like quite an older version, probably 80's or 90's but I'm guessing they will all have the same stuff, no matter when it was published. I'll probably pick up Royal Road to Card Magic somewhere down the line, as the Complete Course one looks like it will have enough stuff in there to keep me going for a while now.

I also bought a couple of decks of cards so am just getting to grips with some beginner tricks at the moment. I'm finding YouTube videos pretty helpful as theres a few people on there who do in-depth explanations, they will show you the trick and then explain how to do it etc.

Thanks for all of the helpful responses in this thread, much appreciated.

Welcome Qazeleus,

YouTube has some great things on it - however, I've seen some really bad performances on there! Be careful about not emulating their mistakes and awful presentations.

As many people here will tell you, the danger of learning from DVDs is that performers consciously or sub-consciously pick up on the mannerisms and styles of the performer that they are watching. You could end up performing in a style that is an imitation of the magician you learnt the effect from – whether you realised it or not. Learning from books however, you are more likely to develop your own magic personality and performance style!

To add to the Echo, Royal Road for sure, Mark Wilson’s will give you an insight to other magic styles, but if it is cards you are primarily interested in for now, I’d get the Royal Road sooner rather than later. If mentalism begins to interest you, then one of the bibles is 13 Steps by Corinda.

Hope to hear how you are getting on…