talkmagic.co.uk

Whan I am out doing tricks in bars or at parties (friend only...I'm not a working magician) a lot of people come up to me and ask how I got into magic and where they should start if they want to get into it.

I picked up most of my knowledge (its not great but it gets me by) through books. This seems to put alot of people off and they come straight back with the reply "are thetre any DVD's I can buy?" Now, I know there are loads out there but I don't own any so I cant suggest any to them with any reasoning.

I think the more people enjoying magic the better so I really want to help anyone interested because when I started I found it quite difficult to find anyone else to guide me...so i spent a lot of money on things that were not very good!

So the point of me starting this thread was to ask if any of you guys able to suggest a few titles I can suggest to them? Stuff for the begginer?

Cue Kati.....

Actually, there was a post not so long ago listing a lot of the basic stuff for various types of magic - you'll need to search around a bit for it but it covered things like Daryl's DVDs as well as other recommended sources.

no matter what anyone says the best dvd series (in my opinion) is the Easy to master card miracle set by michael ammar.. the teaching is second to none and each effect is a belter!

I second Mog's opinion. Easy to Master Card Miracles is an amazing set of dvd's.

I third that! Easy to Master are indeed that, and all the effects pack a big impact. I still perform the "Chicago Opener" and for an easy self working effect, it is great. If you but any of the DVD's make sure that you start with Vol. 1 and work your way up.

I have and work from DVD's and books.

The advantage of a DVD is that you can see how things are done easier.

HOWEVER,

If that is all you learn from, you can fall into the trap of "copying" what you see. It is harder trying to change it into YOUR performance.

If people want to start to learn magic, but say they don't want to put the effort into reading and learning, my advice is, DON'T recommened any DVD's. It sounds as if they want to learn how it is DONE, not how they can DO it.

Everywhere I have been, there is one book that stands out as THE BOOK.

Mark Wilsons Complete Course In Magic.

It has everything for beginners, and is used by proffesionals.
Many questions asked about "Where can I find", can be directed to this book.

I think this is the post Mandrake is talking about.

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic9363-0-0-asc-.php

Ahem, here I am.

Here's the thing about ETMCM: as far as I know they are only routines. I don't own them so I may be wrong but I thought that they were only routines.

The good thing about Born to Perform (see signature) is that it teaches not only routines but also moves. It's got DLs, false cuts, real cuts, the Biddle Steal, fans, flourishes...

Kati

My point is that Tommy_C has people asking how they can learn tricks.
They can't be bothered to read books.
If that is the case, will they bother to learn how to PERFORM and PRACTICE, or just see how its done, then go and do it straight away.

Like I said, I have DVD's aswell as books.

I LEARN from both. I don't COPY from them.

Do you really want all your friends seeing how you do it, which they will from DVD.

If one of them is willing to learn from a book, wait until he has shown that he has shown that he has practiced, then by all means, point him in the direction of DVD's.

The fact that a group of them only want to watch DVD's on how magic is done, are the same ones who think The Masked Magician is the best thing on TV.


I did say in "introductions" that I wasn't afraid to speak my mind.

In my opinion, the best way to learn magic is by combining reading books and watching videos. As I've read somewhere (probably in this forum), magic is a visual art, so it must be taught visually (there are exceptions, of course, especially in card magic). Books alone cannot do it, obviously. But a good book can cover invaluable details and subtelties that are often not mentioned in DVDs.

I second Darrel opinion - if someone does not want to invest time in reading, he/she is probably not genuinely interested in studying magic, but simply wants to find out how it is done.

To all my friends who asked me to teach them a card trick I've told to go to a magic shop and buy a RRTCM and start from there. None of them has ever done so. This is how I know they aren't really interested.

katrielalex wrote:Ahem, here I am.

Here's the thing about ETMCM: as far as I know they are only routines. I don't own them so I may be wrong but I thought that they were only routines.

The good thing about Born to Perform (see signature) is that it teaches not only routines but also moves. It's got DLs, false cuts, real cuts, the Biddle Steal, fans, flourishes...

Kati

the East to master card Miracle series also teach moves..whatever move is required to learn the effect being taught is thoroughly taught as and when needed..(i taught i taugh a putty tat!) for example.. if an effect that uses an elmsley is on the tape/dvd.. then an elmsley is taught..same for hamman counts..jordan counts.. pinkie breaks.. false shuffles..cuts etc