talkmagic.co.uk

Ok guys, am going to try and construct something so people don't make the same (expensive) mistakes as I do...

Magic is a fantastic thing, it really is, and I guess most of us read the forum to share our experiences, as well as improve ourselves and share ideas

There is a term mentioned a lot on this forum, CUPS, and it is all too easy to slip into this, of course we want to buy and perform every piece of magic we see, who wouldn't right? All I can say is, from personal experience, and I'm sure there are many on here whom will back me up, try to not slip into this trap!! It is expensive and achieves very little!!

After deciding again to get into magic (used to do a bit at school) I went on a Marvin's Magic course which was a bit of a waste of time, on the way back I went to Davenport's and spent a fair bit on some card DVD'd that were so far over my head its untrue, whilst there I did pick up some cards (gaffed as well). I then ordered some recommended stuff from Amazon, I was already building up quite a collection here! I then went to the International magic shop and bought a begginers course on close up for a couple of hundred, now this was perhaps my best purchase as it has got me into practising some solid stuff that I hope will be a great foundation for me. Cups and balls, chop cup, sponges, cut and restored rope etc

This might be too expensive for some, but it doesn't have to be, the Joshua Jay book I purchased, which was less than a tenner has loads of fantastic stuff in. I don't own the Mark Wilson book but I understand that this is also around the £10 mark.
Buy something like this, and learn, and master, and practice loads, then go and perform. Build confidence. Enjoy people's reactions. Enjoy the experience

Just DON'T do what I have done and buy anything and everything and forgot to master some basic sleights!

A friend of mine is an experienced performer and he gave me some solid advice when he said "take a trick you like, and master it". Very sound advice there

Also, don't be afraid to ask the advice of people on this forum, there are some very experienced performers on here who perform all kinds of magic and most are more than happy to help

And above all, enjoy it guys

My twopenn'erth

For close-up table hopping, you really only need four or five solid effects that you can perform anytime.
Also have a couple of new effects with you to try out between the solid effects when you are feeling confident, and the table is responding well.
Be ready to promote, or demote, effects once you see the reactions they get, or how comfortable you feel with them.
Call that routine A

optionally, you can put together routine B just in case you have to perform at the same venue/people again.

That really is all you need !

What you don't learn from books and DVDs is people management, timing, and how to project your personallity.
And that is the catch 22 for new magicians. You need to perform to gain that experience, and you need the experience to perform.
No amount of CUPS can buy that experience so just keep performing and learning.

'fake it till you make it'

Indeed! When i did regular magic (and i may do so again one day!) i had 12 effects and that was more than enough for both reception or dinner, in fact you could have less. What you do not need is the most complex routines known to humanity! Keep it simple, keep it strong and most of important of all... keep it fun & entertaining! Look at DVDs by Lee Smith or James Brown (when you get more experience).

I think that some advise to anyone who is getting into magic, but not with the view to perform for a job or career is to take it easy with their spending. I would say it's better to decide which type of magic you really like and focus on that. After all, a jack of all trades is a master of none.

Read reviews on items before buying and if something is being made to look completely amazing in the promo video, try your hardest to just step back and think about it before forking out your money and being dissapointed.

hds02115 wrote:I think that some advise to anyone who is getting into magic, but not with the view to perform for a job or career is to take it easy with their spending. I would say it's better to decide which type of magic you really like and focus on that. After all, a jack of all trades is a master of none.

Read reviews on items before buying and if something is being made to look completely amazing in the promo video, try your hardest to just step back and think about it before forking out your money and being dissapointed.

You have hit the nail on the head, my post was kind of trying to make that point...albeit in a long winded way!