talkmagic.co.uk

Just interested in how people learn their magic tricks/routines/sleights/etc. I know this is a pretty lame question as there is only so few ways of learning but interesting to see how people learn either way.

For me, I like to watch video clips and people performing their magic.

I learn my sleights, variations and routines and such from my Magic Club.

But mainly, I watch video clips that people submit because, even though the poor quality of the video can cover the flashes at times, I can see different routines people do and if I notice flashes or anything suspicious, straight to mind, "Hm... Is that how it's done?"
With the knowledge I have of magic during that time, I form my own theories on how it's done. The possible sleights used (unless it's one I don't know), how the sleight is done (if I don't know it but the person flashes) and try and do it myself to evaluate my theory. You could say it's sort of like floating around on the internet and on forums hoping to pick up on stuff.
*See's everyone trying to make sure their posts don't reveal too much from now on... Dam... *
But it's just my way of learning, by watching others and picking up their mistakes and the feedback.

This is how I learnt quite a few of the stuff I know and I confirm it with the teachers in the Magic Club. You see, I see something, figure out how it's done, but don't know what's it called. So I confirm it. I could be wrong or right or on the right track. But I learn the name and the proper way of how it's done and usually a basic routine for it from my teachers.

And I watch people perform, same deal with the video but it's more open. Sometimes I'm watching on a side because there isn't room anywhere else, thus getting a good angle of how it's done, even though I wasn't meant to know. Sometimes they'll make a mistake here and there and since it's not on video where they just submit the 'perfect' one, it's easier to notice the flashes and such and learn what it is or try to figure out what it is. Other times, they're just playing around and I just watch and pick up on what they do.

This is how I learn my sleights, variations, routines, etc. Overall, it's basically just watching others and analysing. So how about you guys? How do you learn your magic?

Can you add another option to the poll for working it out for yourself? I think a lot of people do that when they start to branch off from what's on the DVDs/in the books and experiment.
Mod's Note: Now added

And one for a mix of the above? Sorry to be a pain but that's what I do, learn from a mix of resources...
Mod's Note: Now added

Ah dam. Sorry. Didn't think about those two things when I posted this. And edit doesn't have the feature to add it onto the poll...

But I can't believe I forgot about the classic option, "Other"... Sorry all.

You forgot to add by joining a magic club or society. This is often an invaluable learning tool as you can discuss your progress, tricks etc. with other magicians and learn from their experience.Mod's Note: Now added

Hm... OK... well, my poll has... these:

Do you buy books or DVDs that teach you?
Do you float around on the internet and on forums?
Do you watch performances submitted by anonymous people or in real life?
Do you watch performances done by professionals on TV/internet or in real life?
Do you have someone or a group teaching you?
Do you go around asking?

Maybe we can branch off to fit the extra categories.

With what Tomo said, in contrast with me, the working it out myself would be from me watching videos. So if I was the working it out myself person, I'd put the "Do you watch performances submitted by anonymous people or in real life?" since it's what I do before hand to work it out. So with what you said, watching DVD or reading book, then start branching off to work out for yourself, I'd say "Do you buy books or DVDs that teach you?" ?

With what dat8962 said, the joining magic club and stuff, it's similar to "Do you have someone or a group teaching you?" ? Or even if it's only discussions, it's still a learning/teaching experience.

With Flash, I can't think of an excuse... LOL Maybe since you're doing a mix, pick what you do most.

Or maybe I should just re-post a new poll but then that's double posting...

Again, sorry guys.

Maybe so but the disadvantage of a poll of this question is that most of use learn from many of the examples given but can only vote for one.

Yeh... Should I just make a new thread? LOL

Tomo wrote:Can you add another option to the poll for working it out for yourself? I think a lot of people do that when they start to branch off from what's on the DVDs/in the books and experiment.

I gave up on learning from books and DVDs a while ago. I tend now to use books and DVDs for entertainment!

After studying magic in a serious way for about 20 years, there's not much new in books and DVDs to learn!

All of the above for me.

seige wrote:After studying magic in a serious way for about 20 years, there's not much new in books and DVDs to learn!

Hehe, I thought it was only Mark Lewis who knew everything

I imagine when you're watching stuff for entertainment, you're also learning in a different way, possibly about different presentations and approaches? If there's not much new to learn, maybe there's old stuff hidden away that's worth learning - I recall reading a thread about someone's delight in re/discovering Slydini's paper balls trick, and imagine there are a lot of old greats that have fallen out of use.

By the way Seige, is that your picture in your avatar? for some reason, to my eyes, you look a bit like a young captain Kirk . I must get around to uploading an avatar

If I hear of an effect thats 'hot' I try and think of how I'd achieve that effect. Then I buy the dvd to feel cocky: damn Cups.
Magic dvd; wine, curry and a 'magic cigarette' = perfect night in. Mmm
x

seige wrote:After studying magic in a serious way for about 20 years, there's not much new in books and DVDs to learn!

But seige, there is so much new stuff coming out almost everyday. Surely your missing out on all that devastating material.

After studying magic in a serious way for about 20 years, there's not much new in books and DVDs to learn!

i belive he meens that most "new" magic is reworkings of old stuff repackaged.

after that much time in the biz so to speak you soon learn theres nothing realy new, the materials maybey diferent with better properties and the handling and presentation may apear "new" and interesting but trust me thers only a finite ways you can do a card force or misers dream sequence.

its a bit like the bible its been reworded, remphasised, colorised filmed, refilmed, given the hollywood tratment but its still essetialy a collection of morality plays.

personaly i just shake hands with the magician and learn all they know by osmosis.

magicdiscoman wrote:personaly i just shake hands with the magician and learn all they know by osmosis.

You're going to have to teach me that some day.

Here's an example of how I learnt a trick/routine:

I was watching the videos submitted for the competition (3) and after watching Goldfish's one, I noticed things here and there. Watched again and now I know how to do it.

Not that there were any mistakes. All videos submitted were great. Very smooth. I just managed to pick up some of the techniques used on Goldfish's. Maybe I might pick up some more.

Thanks Goldfish.