talkmagic.co.uk

Hello, obligatory introduction post.


Despite having owned a copy of the Royal Road and a whole brick of bikes for about 3 years, I wouldn't say I could show you any trick if you asked. It's been a passing interest I've gained as I've watched a couple of my friends turn from hobbyists into semi-pro magicians.

So, while not a newcomer to magic as such, I would say I am still at square one in terms of learning and practicing. I now want to make a bit of a concerted effort to develop and become, at least, competent.

I'll be turning 30 before the end of the year so I'm not exactly getting into this at a young age as many people do, but I'm eager to learn and make my own discoveries as I do.


That may be enough of an introduction, but I am interested to know a few things about your own first steps in magic. Which books are considered the classics, which I should read first and also whether I should read all of one book before moving onto the next. Which moves to learn and master first etc.

I would be appreciative to hear your experiences on where to start and how best to progress.


Thanks.

Welcome, 30 isn't such a late start really. If you've got RRTCM then it's a good a place to start as any. Many here, myself included, will also recommend Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. A hefty and excellent tome covering just about every genre of magic conceivable.

While I'm here though..... Lawrence, grab the beers, sofa time.

Welcome! Even those of us who started young, often have long breaks before coming back to it later - so you are in good company. And 30 is still young

My advice would be to get some self-working type stuff going well so you can concentrate on presentation. There's nothing like getting out there and performing and getting the reactions to encourage you to keep going.

So the Karl Fulves self-working card magic books would be a good place to look.

Hi HalfJack, welcome to TM

Hi, welcome to TM,

my first books were mainly ones that you could get from amazon so Royal Road, Bobo's Coins, Karl Fulves, oh and the fantastic Bill Tarr - Lessons in Sleight of Hand.

Right now, I am rediscovering Sleight of Hand Magic by Edwin Sachs - it's from the 1800's so it's slow going.

Welcome mate. don't be be scared to ask for any help. best of luck with the magic!

James

Hi

I would also recommend Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic.

When I first got a copy some 15 odd years ago I disregarded it as old, but trust me its full of the classics and well laid out.

FRK

Hi and welcome to TM.

I was in the same place as you about 6 months ago but oh how things have changed!!

You will get some great stuff from this site so make the most of teh search function.

Alec

Welcome to TM!

Thanks very much.

Mark Wilson's book was under £4 secondhand on Amazon, so I grabbed that last night.

I hope that can give me a little structure. I tried sitting down with Royal Road, but it just felt a bit like trying to work my way through a reference book, which I suppose it is.

It's here!



Wow, that's a lot of book for £3.27

WOOHOO, the best magical buy that you'll ever make

I just moved from Cardiff to Edinburgh (well kinda but I'm up here most the time). Get involved in the Cardiff Magical Society. There were some really good lecturers there last time I looked. They had Mark James at their Christmas meal last year I believe and he also held a workshop in the day. I was gutted I never had the chance to join since I own both his "Super Charged Classics" DVDs.

You also have Bristol and Hereford societies not too far away too. Michael Ammar lectured at Hereford a few weeks ago.

Speaking off Mark Wilson's book, it is the only book I couldn't fit in my bag for when I flew up here. I'm missing it!

I was on the CMS website today, actually. I see they have a few things coming up.

Where do they tend to hold their gatherings? Or is it generally different places for different meetings? There wasn't any mention of a venue on the site, but a rather cryptic 'ask your CMS contact'.

I actually attended their big convention a couple of years ago, with the Paul Daniels lecture.

Welcome.

I was well past 30 when I seriously took up magic. It doesn;t matter when you start as the important thing is that you have started.