talkmagic.co.uk

Hi everyone,
Well what can I say? I happened upon this forum a couple of days back and must have spent about seven hours reading reading reading; I love it!

A little about myself: I am Andrew, a 29 year old Head of English in a 'tough' inner city school, a father of two young boys and a total newbie to magic. My interest comes from seeing Piff the Magic Dragon on Youtube around 3 weeks back, which then led to watching Penn and Teller Fool Us and Dynamo (who I can take or leave). From here I have watched some David Blaine, read his book (which I liked more than I thought I would), and bought a few cheap tricks (gaff decks mainly). The idea of magic being mixed with comedy is what got me interested in the art-form as I use comedy a lot in school.

I am looking to learn some close up magic which I can perform to friends, family and students in school (as a reward for good behaviour). I learnt long ago that ANY talent is good to have with kids, as they will generally behave brilliantly to see what you can do! At the moment I beatbox (this is me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUOB0oQJdWY ). I've been getting kids to work hard for the last few years in return for a few minutes of beatboxing and now want to diversify!

I have spent around 4 hours practicing magic, so am at the absolute start, but I have already performed once (at a BBQ) where I learnt some really interesting things. My 'show' currently consists of one trick with a normal bicycle deck (which I invite people to examine). I don't know the name of this trick (help appreciated), but it is basically the one where you cut the cards and then shuffle the spectator's card away, but really it always stays on the bottom of the deck, ready to be brought out at the end. I start with this as I think it lulls people into the false sense of security that my tricks are old hat and nothing too clever. I put my cards behind my back to pick their card out without looking. My cards are then switched to a Svengali deck which I use with a written prediction. Then I have a rising card trick a-la David Blaine which I finish with. I have a nice opening patter: "I am new to magic so you can inspect the deck thoroughly now but once I have begun the routine you won't be able to as I have to get the cards in order for tricks". Then I switch out to my magic decks haha! I know this would not work with most people but I am encouraged by how well these tricks have gone down with friends.

Anyway, I have one question at the moment (let me know if I need to post this somewhere else). I have around £100 to spend on (ideally) two big tricks. I am looking at tricks which require little skill from me but will look awesome. So far I have been drawn to signed card thru window and the one where the spectator thinks of a card, then I pull my wallet out and it is in an envelope in there. Anyway, my question is: how should I spend my £100? Of course I will learn the basics, buy the books recommended e.g. royal road etc, but I just want a couple of biggies to get it started with.

Thanks

Andrew

Hi Andrew, nice introduction.

Welcome to TM

Hi Andrew and welcome - great intro!

I'm sure others will back up my thoughts on your cash availability, certainly buy the books - Mark Wilson, Nic Einhorn, RRTCM and Bobo etc but then keep the £100 in your pocket until you really know what you need. Once you've worked through the books you'll soon see that buying expensive props doesn't guarantee success, only big disappointment when you find out how banal the 'secrets' actually are - trust me, you'll feel somewhat cheated! I’d bet good money that most of us on TM have a drawer or cupboard crammed with ‘must have’ stuff which has never been used although it looked totally essential at the time.

As Peter Marucci so wisely says, ‘Those who think the magic is in the props should try taking a piano apart and look for the music’ .

Mandrake wrote:Hi Andrew and welcome - great intro!

I'm sure others will back up my thoughts on your cash availability, certainly buy the books - Mark Wilson, Nic Einhorn, RRTCM and Bobo etc but then keep the £100 in your pocket until you really know what you need. Once you've worked through the books you'll soon see that buying expensive props doesn't guarantee success, only big disappointment when you find out how banal the 'secrets' actually are - trust me, you'll feel somewhat cheated! I’d bet good money that most of us on TM have a drawer or cupboard crammed with ‘must have’ stuff which has never been used although it looked totally essential at the time.

As Peter Marucci so wisely says, ‘Those who think the magic is in the props should try taking a piano apart and look for the music’ .

Thanks - I think you're right. I could otherwise spend around £1000 quite easily haha!

Welcome to Talk Magic

Great introduction. Look forward to hearing more from you.

Great advice from Mandrake.

Lee.

Hi Andrew,

I was recommend the Mark Wilson book, and it really is great - I can see why everyone suggests it to new guys. I'm reading though that now and leaving RRCM and the others until later (though I'm slightly sidetracked by the EMC DVDs).

You could always pop into http://www.topsecretmagic.co.uk/main.html as well I guess (as I think you're nearby). I haven't been there myself yet, but I've been in contact with Mal and he seems a decent bloke.

M.

(Apologies to Mods if I'm not allowed to post the link - I'm not affiliated, but the shop is down this way)

Welcome to TM Agree - nice intro

Nice intro - funny beatbox
I agree with the others in that you should spend your money on books and DVD's as you've said you will, then you'll know what you need. I've never spent more than about £40 on any single order from a magic shop, (with the exception of books and DVD's) - I think the best tricks for close up are often the ones which are simple / that you make yourself / require no gimmicked anything, just lots of practice.

You could buy some palming coins - they have helped me to learn Bobo's coin tricks.
You could order a TT, along with a book on how to use one.
Some magicians rope (just nice soft rope - nothing special about it!) that you can learn a rope routine with. David Stone has a nice routine on his DVD 'Real Secrets of Magic'
A decent set of cups and balls, and possibly a wand depending on which routine you want to learn, and start coming up with your own spin on a routine for using them - Michael Ammar and (the late) Tommy Wonder are good at teaching Cups and Balls. It's a classic of magic.
Some sponge balls - easy and fun magic, great for kids, and the goshman ones come with a routine or two...
Some silks - great for doing vanishes, and productions in my opinion...
I love flash paper too, you need some of that, but take care with it - not for kids performances unless you really know what your doing...
That is probably at least £100!
Anyway, best of luck.

Welcome. Books and DVDs are your best bet.

Hi Andrew, welcome to TM.

Hi Andrew,

Fellow South Westener here (Cornwall)

Don't waste your money on books and DVDs - buy Industrial Revelation!*


*Don't listen to me - seriously get books and DVDs but I am absolutely in love with my IR.