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steve j Special user Long Island, New York 559 Posts |
I have found that I am at the point where I may have learned to much too fast, I have come to notice that whenever I am asked to perform on the spot I tend to think for a while before a I think of a trick. On the other hand when I am in my room just messing with a deck I'll start to remember a lot of tricks that I don't even remember learning. Anyone else have a similar problem, I think I just have to start writing stuff down.
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docelk Veteran user St. Pete, FL 362 Posts |
Yes, but I'm a hundred and four years old
Life is a test. It is only a test. If this had been a real life, you would have been given further instructions on where to go, and what to do.
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scorch Inner circle 1480 Posts |
What you are discovering is the difference between amateurs and professionals. In general, amateurs do lots of different effects for the same audience. Professionals do relatively few effects for difference audience each night. Even though you might be an amateur (and there's certainly no shame in that!), you might try to take a cue from the pros and refine what you do down to a dozen or so effects that are truly powerful and that you can truly make your own.
Another thing that might help is to work up actual routines, instead of just random effects. You should have several routines of different lengths and through-lines, or "themes." Practice each of them as a routine, a whole that flows well from one effect to another (see Card College for great advice on routining). Really practice them as routines. That way you'll tend to remember them and not have to pause while you think of something to do. That pause can really kill the momentum and sense of interest in your magic. |
Cain Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 1550 Posts |
In addition to Scorch's sensible advice, I have two suggestions:
1) Pick an anywhere, anytime effect. Some argue "impromptu card trick" is a misnomer, but suppose you're in a situation where someone discovers you're a magician, thrusts a deck of cards into your hand and says, "do something." This is what you will do without hesitation (and please don't pick ACR unless you're planning on performing only one trick). 2) A parable (of sorts) I recall once reading involved a young man boasting to a famous magician that he knew more than one-hundred card tricks. "How many card tricks do you know," he asked the professional. The response was characteristically utilitarian: "Eight". Write down every card trick you know; you're keeping a list. Magicians forget more card tricks than they remember. If you're likely to forget how the trick is done (which often suggests it might be a clunker), include a description of the effect (and/or where you can easily find it). From your master list you should be able to put together routines. After these are practiced write down the tricks in your working repertoire; remember that you're tailoring routines for the environments that you work in. Keep this list where you keep your cards and look over it consistently. You're probably never going to do more than half a dozen card tricks in a sitting (I hope!). Even if you get the sense that people want more, you should know when to stop (or possibly save something for later). Essentially I'm stating what should become obvious: maintain strict quality control; less can be more.
Ellusionst discussing the Arcane Playing cards: "Michaelangelo took four years to create the Sistine Chapel masterpiece... these took five."
Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes: "You know Einstein got bad grades as a kid? Well, mine are even worse!" |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
The reason professionals will not be flustered by this is they have routines they will use. Invariably when someone asks to see tricks and hands me cards I will do a set routine. It makes sense. Come up with a routine you are comfortable with even if it is only 3 or 4 or less effects. Do them the same way every time and no hemming and hawing will be necessary.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
HusssKarson Loyal user Ca, US 265 Posts |
One step at a time.. perfect every trick!
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yutszfung New user 23 Posts |
I agree, always pratice one trick at a time and make it perfect before you go for another one.
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