talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all,

Just been daydreaming at work about magic (there's a change) and I just thought I'd share a few thoughts and ask a question.

TT's. I read a description of these recently as "THE Magicians Secret". As you may know, I've been interested in magic since I was a child, but only recently took up a serious interest. I've always had quite a good knowledge of magic and the working of lots of close up and stage magic - but I never knew about these at all! They are just brilliant and I'm so excited about them!!! However, in one respect, I'm slightly saddened as it explains some of the things I've seen in the past - things that I've had NO idea of how they were performed. However, I can now appreciate them on a technical level, and they've opened up such a new area for me to get into. I'm really excited about getting my order of a TT and a DVD that explains the workings and 25 tricks!!! I'lll let you know how I get on!

Second thought - Does anyone know of a book or a source for mental arithmetic mentalism? I remember seeing a Street Magic Revealed show where they explained a trick where Blaine gets people to think of a seemingly random three digit number, but by careful wording, actually limits their choice to a very narrow selection. Any ideas? One of my faves is The Elephant from Denmark routine and if you manage to find someone that doesn't know it - the look on their faces is incredible!! I'd like to learn more of them though.

Better get back to work!

Thanks!

In David Blaines Mysterious Strnager book he has a few mathematical routines. Will try think of some other sources for you.

The Last Deck on the Left wrote:
However, in one respect, I'm slightly saddened as it explains some of the things I've seen in the past - things that I've had NO idea of how they were performed.

Interesting comment. When I started looking into magic effects, I did so with caution because I felt exactly the same. I was looking initially as a spectator who was impressed by the magical effect and then almost dismayed by how easily I had been duped by a particular card sleight or prop! I'm over than now and am keen to learn new tricks because I want to expand my repertoire rather than an initial "how on earth did you do that".

As a side line, I am interested in mechanical puzzles - linking rings, wooden cubes etc. My interest in the puzzle is very great when I can't do it but, as soon as I've solved it, I rarely even look at it again. It's as if I lose interest, although I'm still interested in the mechanics of how the puzzle has been designed and constructed.

When I started looking into magic effects, I did so with caution because I felt exactly the same. I was looking initially as a spectator who was impressed by the magical effect and then almost dismayed by how easily I had been duped by a particular card sleight or prop

I felt the same too and also went thru a period of "grieving" if you like feeling totally conned by some hideously simple deceptions. But then as my knowledge grew I began to appreciate how these simple ploys can often be the most effective. So these days whilst I see every magician on TV with different eyes I have great appreciation for simplicity in magic. Sometimes its so simple the spec wont even think of it, as did we for years before discovering TT's etc!

Jordan C wrote:Sometimes its so simple the spec wont even think of it, as did we for years before discovering TT's etc!

I agree with this entirely, if you look in the RRTCM, it states in there, that one of the rules to keep in mind is:

Never reveal the secret of a trick. Many good card tricks are so simple that to reaveal the method is to lower yourself in the estimation of the audience, which has given you great credit for a skill which you then confess you do not possess!

I think this applies not just to card magic but to all magic, and by that token, we as magicians, looking from the other side of the coin, see how simple some effects are and should in my view then appreciate the power of how a simple effect done well can have a lasting effect on an audience!

The Last Deck on the Left wrote:One of my faves is The Elephant from Denmark routine

You might like Mark Jenest'sMagicard- it's got 5 classics / gags...looks nice if you like that sort of thing .

1. Ask your friends to imagine a color, an animal, and a country. the MagiCard 'influences' them to think of a Gray Elephant in Denmark!

edited as per Mandrake's request

2. Your better half turns your finances upside-down... literally! (Psst! turn the MagiCard upside-down to read the message in the account number).

3. Have them pick a card and shuffle it into the deck. Now reveal their selection in the logo by turning the MagiCard on its side. It's the 8 of Diamonds!

4. Ask someone, "Wouldn't it be amazing if your name suddenly appeared on my credit card?" Look, there it is!

5. A spectator merely thinks of a number--it matches the date on your credit card!

Kati

Would you like to edit this last post - it's a bit too revealing for the open section of the forum!