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greerj Loyal user East Tennessee 282 Posts |
I have a question about IBM ring or magician etiquette. I belong to a ring, and they are great, but I'm still nervous around them because I'm a newbie. Each meeting we gather around and effects or sleights are shown. Is there some code as to when I could say "Could you teach me that"? Should you not ask unless someone offers to teach you? Could you say "What are you willing to teach me"? I certainly don't want to make anyone mad or be seen as a effect mooch. Any advice?
Thanks. John |
AGMagic Special user Cailf. 775 Posts |
Others may disagree, but you are there to learn and to socialize with other magicians. You obviously have enough interest to have joined the ring. I would start by saying " that was fantastic!" followed by "Would you teach me how you do it?" The worst they can say is no, and that maybe a legitimate answer if it is an effect that they want to keep for their own. Otherwise, I suspect that you will find many willing to share. You might want to follow up at the next meeting by showing them how you have progressed with the effect.
Tim Silver - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Magic-Woodshop/122578214436546
I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. Visualize Whirled Peas! |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Hello Greerj! So, you're "green" (a new guy), Well, when you're green, you can get ripe! when you're ripe, you just get rotten!
What Ring? and where? Perhaps I know someone there. (Not for sure, but, I've travelled a lot.) How old are you? etc. You're obviously polite and don't want to upset anyone. One of the best ways to get acquainted with older and/or more experienced or more knowledgeable magicians,is to compliment them on something they've done. When they respond--and if they're polite, they should! You could say something like: "I sure would like to learn that! (For heaven's sake, DON'T ASK, "How did you do that?) Most of the fellows that I've met--and I've visited Rings from coast to coast and border to border--are friendly, gregarious, and willing to help s new guy along. After all, THEY were new once!!! Also, invest in one or two good books that are oriented to beginners. Example: The MARK WILSON "COMPLETE COURSE IN MAGIC". It was written by WALTER GIBSON and he wrote it for beginners. I think it sells for about $10 or $12. You might find a used copy cheaper. The NEW IN MAGIC forum has, I believe, a list of recommended books for new guys. You'll be wise to start out by learning from a good book (cheaper, too!) I further recommend that you don't limit yourself by speciaizing in only cards or coins or ??? Tarbell's Course in Magic will take you a lifetime to learn everything in it, but, you'll benefit immensely. There are seven volumes8!!!). I think they're about $15.00 per volume,but you can buy them one at a time. (Also, I believe they're available FREE ON PDF. I've been reading Tarbell since I was 15, and I'm now 82! I still don't know everything that's in it. I was a professional magician most of my life, and much of my show is tricks that I learned from Tarbell. There! that's enough for one post. Best wishes! Dick Oslund Sneaky, underhanded, devious,and surreptitious itinerant mountebanc --also, "Order of Merlin Excelsior Member (64 years) of the I.B.M.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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greerj Loyal user East Tennessee 282 Posts |
Thanks for the replies, AGMagic and Dick. To answer your questions, Dick, I am in east Tennessee (Tri cities ring). It's got a good bunch of guys, all about my age (I'm 50), and friendly. I try to listen at least twice as much as I talk around them. I tend to assume that they know everything and they've told me to quit that. In fact, I showed them Up the Ante and they had not seen it, so I'm not completely lost. I just want to not cross that line of "overanxious newbie" while still learning as much as possible. Knowing that I can ask questions (within reason) on the Café helps. Thanks for all the advice.
John |
greerj Loyal user East Tennessee 282 Posts |
I forgot to mention that I probably am too polite, Dick. I've been a member of the Café for 2 years, and have always hesitated posting because I didn't want to be accused of rushing to get 50 posts, but now I'm closing in. I guess there's worse things in the world than being too polite, though. lol.
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Wizard of Oz Inner circle Most people wish I didn't have 5150 Posts |
Welcome to The Café greerj. As nice as most folks here are...a polite newbie is always a good thing.
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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Andy Young Special user Jersey Shore, PA 813 Posts |
I want to say that the Mark Wilson book can be bought for $0.01 used on amazon plus $3.99 shipping. $4 bucks for that marvel
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greerj Loyal user East Tennessee 282 Posts |
Thanks, gentlemen,
The guys in the Ring I belong to are a good mix of card handlers, children's magicians, one coin guy and mentalists, so I am picking up a good mix. I've leafed through the Mark Wilson book, got some Scarne and Karl Fulves books, and have read some Bob Cassidy and Larry Becker, not to do what they do, but to check out their thought processes. Thanks for the welcome. John |
Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
I've found that offering to show something is the best way to get them to open up and show you.
I had the pleasure of sharing a table with Michael Skinner. He wasn't eager to share anything with us at the time, but instead he asked me what I was working on. This was at a public venue, so we had a few non-magicians at the table with us. I proceeded to perform a simple trick for the people at the table. When I was done, Michael said "Good job, let me show you some variations I've come up with..." and proceeded to explain some handling tips I hadn't seen in books before.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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greerj Loyal user East Tennessee 282 Posts |
Good idea. Thank you. My problem is I tend to believe that I couldn't know anything they wouldn't know, even though they have assured me that no magician knows every variation of every trick. I'm really confident performing for my high school students, but am much less confident around adults. I need to get over that mindset.
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55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
Greerj,
I recommend starting with a routine or skill and asking for help improving. What other magicians don't want to hear is, "I saw so-and-so do that trick last week". Hence they are leery of showing tricks they perform. But, if you have indicated a willingness to learn a new trick, they will typically be very happy to help you perfect it. Hudson. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Good point SS!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Greer j ....
I wrote another long comment re your other post in the "new members department"' I've toured Tennessee schools many times, but I can't remember visiting the Tri Cities Ring. I do recall visiting the magic shop in Chattanooga,a few times. The Mark Wilson book was written by the late Walter Gibson, who I believe wrote more magic books than anyone! Much of the material had been in other books, but Walter gathered the 'good stuff'. "Lemme" know if the Si Stebbins "stuff" is particularly interesting. Gene Anderson is an old friend, and he sent me a copy of his routine. I'm not using it. If you PM me your "snail mail" address, I'll mail it to you. I think you would find it worth a read. I dropped in at a meeting of the magic club in Great Falls, Montana, about 25 or so years ago, and Eddie McLaughlin did a "lecture". He did a very good routine with Si Stebbins. In the last trick in the routine, he shuffled the deck as part of the routine. There was a 5 minute break for snacks, and he did another routine, USING SI! (He cold decked, and knocked their socks off again. Another short break, he cold decked again. I was smiling when he looked at me, and he realized that I was "in". He did it AGAIN!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 25, 2014, greerj wrote: It really doesn't matter. As in the case of Michael Skinner, he was tired of all the "takers" with no "givers." Once I offered up *something* then and only then did he open up and offer to help.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
If you've lived for 50 years, you have experiences and a thought process that no one else has. If you can successfully handle a group of high school students, you are way ahead of a lot of others! There's many magicians who are terrified of getting up in front of a bunch of kids.
E |
greerj Loyal user East Tennessee 282 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 27, 2014, Dick Oslund wrote: Mr. Oslund, I sent you a pm. Thank you for your offer. I appreciate it. |
Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 27, 2014, Dick Oslund wrote: It's not SS but rather '55' Mr 82 yr olde guy. Time to get some new glasses eh? I kid, I kid...lol. I do agree that to be great advice as well Mr 55! Mark Wilson's book was something I read from cover to cover for years in my earlier days. Best of luck to you there in Tennessee and your passion for all things magic Mr Greer! |
challengedmichael New user 52 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 24, 2014, Wizard of Oz wrote: Very Well Said,I Agree. |
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