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gjfarmer New user South Carolina 14 Posts |
I was reading in another thread about how one doesn't necessarily have to use a thumb tip that matches the skin tone closely if the TT is used properly. Does anyone have any advice on this or know of any resources that teach about the proper handling of a TT? I have been using a TT for years but lately some people have been noticing it because the tone is slightly different that my skin tone. Thanks so much!
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Magician Shaun Special user Huntington BCH, CA 924 Posts |
I would say they notice it because you are trying to point it at them or something like that. A thumbtip can be concealed easily behind fingers, brief open palm flashes, etc. However, you must keep in mind that it is one of the most exposed gimmicks in magic. Try to conceal it like you would a coin or salt pour, or palmo, you will get much more mileage this way.
Finger palm it and show your thumbs. People know about it, so adjust. I recently had an amateur magi watching my street show and after my silk vanish he said, "Wow, that was awesome, if I was doing that I would have to use a thumb tip." |
Herr Brian Tabor Special user Oklahoma City 729 Posts |
Gr8gorilla's advice is spot on. It's not about the tone. One of my favorite effects uses a small baby dolls hand on my pinky, and people don't realize my pinkie is 3 inches longer and has five small fingers! It's all in the handling. I also hear a tale about a magician who gave a lecture to other magicians, using a TT. When he finished his routine, they were surprised to realize his TT was a 4 inch chrome! I don't know if the story's true or not, but it makes the point.
Find a good book or DvD for the TT and go back over the basics. I do this occasionally myself, you'd be surprised how much it can help. Then, get in front of a mirror and work till you can fool yourself. Have fun |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
The Magic Makers dvd amazing easy to learn thumbtip
is a very good one to start with. Todd |
Damian Veteran user 363 Posts |
Gary Darwin has a 3-disc video on the topic, which you can find on Penguin and Joshua Jay has a very good video, available on VanishingInc.
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Pop Haydn Inner circle Los Angeles 3691 Posts |
Sophie Evans' "Rules of Thumb" features Kevin James, Peter Pit, Larry Jennings, Steve Valentine, T. A. Waters, Billy McComb and many others on a three volume set of DVDs available from Kevin James.
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simonpiercy New user 1 Post |
Paul Daniels uses a bright red thumb tip. In theory, having a thumb tip that's not the same colour as your skin makes you try even harder to keep it hidden.
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David Fillary Special user 662 Posts |
A magician taught me to use a note/bill as a wand when using a TT that was a different colour. It worked really well and made me come up with some interesting presentations.
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
I'd say the number one thing to do is avoid any tricks that involve the vanish of a small silk in your fist. It isn't just the gimmick that's been exposed, it is the method for a trick. In fact, I think if I had a reason to vanish a silk, I'd either use a p*** or find a different method just so I could make a point that I'm not using a TT.
Instead of vanishes, use a switch. The bill switch is great. Jay Sankey has several interesting variations on that theme. The L&L World's Greatest Magic DVD on TTs has a wonderful little talk about how to use it. The key point is summed up with the statement that "the TT is nothing but a receptacle to put things in so you can do pretty tricks." Pretend it is not flesh colored. Even wrap it in black electric tape for a few days and practice in front of the mirror. Can you make it invisible? Now, is your trick one that is not obviously about shoving something into your fist and making it vanish? Perhaps use it only for productions. Some years ago I realized that the silk trick works best in reverse. I'd take of my glasses and look at them, noticing how dirty they are, put them on, reach into the left hand while forming a fist, pull out a red silk, clean my glasses, put them back on, tuck the silk back into the hand and carry on with what I was I was doing anyway. It is meant as a magical interlude, not a feature trick. -Patrick |
Tenacitiz New user A pathetic total of 71 Posts |
I have had people ask me if I use a thumb tip in the middle of a set. At first it was a hit unnerving as I I have a silk with a card reveal in the middle of the act. I just answered that I might if the situation required it but not today as they are soooooo obvious. I get to the silk reveal and guess what, no one had a clue!
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TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
The best DVD I've seen on the subject is the Pat Page DVD. Teaches proper technique, etc.
If people spot it, it's because one way or another, you are telegraphing that you are wearing one. You need to be more confident in your use and handling of the TT. To test yourself, wear one all day. See how many people recognize it. My guess is that it will be ZERO. Once you realize that a TT is invisible (even if it's not exactly your tone) you'll be more confident and won't get caught. Get the Pat Page DVD. Cheap, and wonderful.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
How much do we need to tip in an open forum?
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-08-15 13:16, Bill Palmer wrote: I agree. Let's just stick to sources of info. One source that hasn't been mentioned is an inexpensive booklet by Milbourne Christopher. Any decent magic shop has it. |
malaki Elite user 490 Posts |
The last time that I purchased a plastic TT, I discovered that the bright pink silk that I was using was visible through the TT. I continued to use it without ever revealing it's incorporation in my routine. I now stick with the vinyl TT, as they are not translucent, and easy to crush, keeping it further out of sight. Nested, they allow the production of salt and slush. I never use a dye tube any more, preferring the TT. To use as a dye tube, very carefully cut along the three outer edges of the nail with an X-Acto. It will "lock" in place to hide the load, the upper end of the nail acting as a hinge.
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Some of the 'brothers' continue to refer to the prop that has been under discussion, as a gimmick. If they would do a bit of thinking, they just might realize that some of us old geezers would argue about that! Our argument MIGHT well be that, "It's not a gimmick. It's a feke!" (Actually, much depends on how it is used! (KEEP READING!) A gimmick is an UNSEEN DEVICE. A feke is a device that APPEARS TO BE something else!") If you've used one, even once, you should be able to realize that!
Remember the basic definitions! Too many, today, don't know what an EFFECT IS. The same goes for a TRICK, A PROP, etc. One of my profs in college, would say, "Before you begin, define your terms!" I've been defining these basic terms for about five years, here in the Café, One or two, have told me that they think that I'm "too pedantic". Others, it seems, can't seem to understand my English"! Others seem to ignore, because it's easier! (Are they intellectually lazy or dishonest?) I have mentored dozens of young people in 50 years. Many are now full time pro's. making a good living (The late Doug Henning didn't do too bad! Nor did the late Bob McAllister.) I mentored both of them, a "few" years ago. I've always begun by saying that, "I can't TEACH you anything!" But, I can, HELP YOU LEARN! (Learning is an ACTIVE process. "One learns by DOING the thing" --Sophocles, a few millenia ago. "If you want to learn, you must first learn the the meaning of fundamental terms!" So, a TT CAN be "two things" (depending upon how it is used!) Think that over! I've been using the gimmick/feke under discussion, since I bought my first one at a Percy Abbott "sale" ($.25!)in 1947. (Sixty years ago!) Nobody has ever "caught" me. --and, I'm far from the "world's greatest"! "Magic" is 5% sleight of hand technique, 5% perceptual illusion, 5% esoteric principles of science, and EIGHTY FIVE PERCENT, P S Y C H O L O G Y. I'm not much of a mathematician, but I am a magician who worked for fifty years, and, was never "at liberty".
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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lukkudlek New user 67 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 9, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: I disagree. There are so many different categories of magic that one cannot universaly determine how many percent of what makes magic. There is just too much different magic out there. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
So lukkudlek! You disagree with me! Well, you are welcome to do so.
That statement was not anywhere near MATHEMATICALLY correct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know that. I was making the point that the basic METHODS (sleight of hand skills, perceptual illusion, and esoteric science principles which are used in all branches of magic) are not nearly as important as psychology. Perhaps I was too subtle.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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lukkudlek New user 67 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 20, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: Alright. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I'm happy to note that you now understand!
Your profile shows that your main interest appears to be magic with cards. I've had the the pleasure--and, privilege--to know most of the world's great cardicians. Men like Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, Alex Elmsley, Ricky Jay, Jon Racherbaumer, Paul LePaul, and a "few others". All of them, technically skilled as they are/were, understood that psychology is most important. For example, you should see Jon Racherbaumer do the "21 Card Trick"!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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lukkudlek New user 67 Posts |
Quote:
On Sep 21, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: Ill definitely check it out. |
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