talkmagic.co.uk

I have recently bought one of these and want to use it via the shirt front method. I'm having problems with snagging and noise. Any tips on positioning/tension would be greatly appreciated. I haven't bought the dvd yet, but will do if people think it will help. Is there a best one to go for?

Hi and welcome to the Forum!

Either the DVD or the Video will show you very neatly where everything should go. In addition, Chuck Leach explains a lot of the thinking behind the moves which I thought made it all so much easier to understand. There are several routines which mean you'd get full use out of the Raven. The price is deliberately on the high side to deter casual browsers but I reckon it's still good value for money. If there's a lack of the readies, put it on your Christmas Prezzie list and speak nicely to Santa!

Thanks Mandrake, I will buy the dvd/vid if you think it will solve my problems. Will it address those specific issues though? My troubles are with the "click" during the vanish and the "whoosh" during the retract if you know what I mean. (Hope that description is suitably innocent)

OK, very diplomatic posting and much appreciated! Noise during use is inevitable as we're using a mechanical device. The vid/DVD shows the ideal positioning on Chuck but will be a little different for each user.

The best advise re noise is to make sufficient noise yourself to cover it. I think the main problem here is that we tend to practice alone in peace and quiet but forget that a performance will be in front of some live people who will be coughing and chatting, there may be traffic noise, the sounds of drinks on trays (I like that sound a lot - especially when they're heading in my direction) and so on. If you find yourself performing in a Monastery where there's a vow of total silence, just patter on as loud as required and use a lot of misdirectional body movements. The word 'WOOOOOSH' can cover a lot of things and don't forget the awful cheesy jokes! Just have the confidence to give it a go - your specs have no idea what you're really doing so won't be on the alert for noises.

It should help with those things, and at any rate will lead you in the right direction to get at a perfect performance.

(Simultaneous post with Mandrake, maybe there's some spooky psychic thing going on?)

Nick and I are in mental synchronisation. Now he knows what a wacko I am!

Thanks for all of this, i am suitably reassured. I am quite new to this lark, but seem to have caught the bug big time so will probably be a frequent visitor with stupid questions. Hope you don't mind too much. just a point of forum ettiquette, however, if I have a few daft questions to ask at the same time, is it preferred to lump them togther as one post or post individual threads?

Cheers

That would probably depend on how complex the questions are, if you think thay era likely to have simple answers bung 'em all in together, but if you expect a 1000 word dissertation as an answer then do it seperately I would say. Mods will correct me if I'm wrong.

So you've got the bug? BE AFRAID - BE VERY AFRAID!!

Anyway, the question of questions depends on the questions - so to speak. It might be easier to make responses if the questions were all together so we don't suddenly have 30 new postings to be read and dealt with. (Now somebody else will say individual postings are better - just wait!)

You seem to have immediately understood the etiquette here so don't be surprised if we can't give full answers - the details may be inappropriate for public posting or we simply may not know the answers!

Thanks again. Hopefully should be able to contribute before too long as well as pick your brains. (and I am very afraid)

That would probably depend on how complex the questions are, if you think thay are likely to have simple answers bung 'em all in together, but if you expect a 1000 word dissertation as an answer then do it seperately I would say

yeah - what nick said.

The thing to remember is that in all liklihood any question you ask will not only be useful for you but it will be useful for 1000's (100's? 10's? one or two? one? me?) of other people that read these boards, and as we encourage people to search first before asking something that may already have been asked - it makes good sense to identify the thread with a clear topic and generally keep one question per thread. Unless they are all quickanswer type question then just link em in all together.

hhhmmmmm.

Ive just repeated exactly what Nick and Madrake said didn't I. oh well.

Welcome Fletch

Everybody here knows their stuff, are very friendly and are as mad as a fridge in a tutu.
I have been made to feel very welcome here, I hope you enjoy your stay.


/me waves at Fletch.

On the raven, I had to cover mine in felt to dampen the click, also helps a little with the swishing noise. It does make it a little larger to use but I found it worth it.
Anybody else done this with any joy?

BaB

pad your raven as much as you think it can handle before it look's un actractive

if your haveing problems with talking, noise then you may need to be less tense, many people who use the raven are just to full of tension remember its finess not speed you need to suceed.

you may also find if you let yourself sag a bit at the waste you should breath a bit easier after its gone drop your hands to your sides then use them to gradle the specs hand to help them find the little lost article

answers on a post card (pm me).

this document prodoced by thr dyslexics assosiasion for tollerence or daft for short .