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blindbo Special user Bucks County, PA 790 Posts |
Today, I have the benefit of not only your books, but those of your contemporaries.
What did Harry learn from? What books? Were you mentored in any traditional way, Harry? Are there still areas of magic that you haven't studied and are you actively searching for that knowledge? Respectfully, Rob. |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Rob: You know, when I was young all I found in the library were magic books having to do with springs and clocks, and things. Nothing that interested me. No, I was never "mentored" - strictly self taught. One area of magic I have no interest in is illusions - well, also - escapes. No, I'm not searching for that knowledge, actively or otherwise. HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
master121 New user 29 Posts |
I know of a way to remember 10 things, and it might be yours. It is amazing that you self taught yourself (I figured out my way in a book from the library
-master121 |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Wow! Ten things. Seriously, is this a joke? HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
I suppose by self teaching yourself- led you to discover originality in your performance and material. Did you grow up watching any of them on television- whenever there happened to be one on. When did you first discover other magicians to 'study' with? I.B.M/S.A.M affiliations? Loved the books!
-Matt
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magicianâ„¢ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Matt: I grew up with radio, not television! I started to really meet other magicians when they started to hear of me, know who I was, mainly because of my first magic book. I did belong to the Knights of Magic, what back in 1948/1949. I started to write, did a column, for their newsletter. Met other magicians there. Most often I taught them - but it's a cliche, I know, but I learned by teaching (and watching). HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
Harry,
You are a very prolific author and it sounds like you started much the same way as I learned, books from the local library. I was wondering, then, what your opinion is on the trend of learning not so much from books but via video. Many young magicians seem to rely on DVD and Tape, maybe it is just my perception, but the need to read seems lacking today. Do you find this a healthy trend? Or do you see video as a great supplement to books or possibly replacing them in the study of magic.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Frank: I think it's a "lazy" trend. But, what the heck, everything has its place. No, I don't think videos/DVDs will ever take the place of books. Nor will "e-books." There's nothing like carrying a "regular" book with you, keeping it on your night table, and so on. There's no way a video, DVD, e-book, will keep you company when you're stranded on an island! But, to repeat, everthing has it's place. So many have told me that my videos have taught them so much. But - those who've read my books learned the stuff earlier (by years) and, perhaps, better. HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Vernest Regular user 169 Posts |
This excerpt of Walden is something I personally believe in:
"A written word is the choicest of relics. It is something that once more intimate with us and more universal than any other work of art. It is the work of art nearest to life iteself. It may be translated to every language, and not only be read but actually breathed from all human lips;-not be represented on canvas or in marble only, but be carved out of the breath of life itself. The symmbol of an ancient man's thought becomes a modern man's speech". (Walden,David Henry Thoreau) When you read a book,you feel as if the words guide you like a light house in the dark. They bring you closer to the explanation or principle in detail rather than taking you directly to it. I personally LOVE books rather than videos. Videos do help on occations,only when it is History of Magic such as Grand Illusion DVD. Videos basically guide you VISUALLY through whatever topic it is,but they don't let you enjoy the mind of the creator(when they write a little more than just a plain explanation). A clear example of this is when reading any of Harry's work,when you get to know his humor,his personal thoughts of performance in his Afterthoughts,his opinions on other performers as in The Best of Friends,etc. Finally,if you just want a plain reason why I personally like books...they simply have more information in them! I like videos,but I try to not rely on them to learn my magic since I find it to be the "lazy way" to learn my magic. An opinion from a young magician. Vernest Vernest |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Vernest: Well documented, well written. But I guess it's what you become accustomed to. Obviously there was no such thing as video when I was growing up in magic, or otherwise. Books were my sanctuary and my teachers. The young people now "know" videos and computers. In a way it's sad.
I remember when my son, Robert, was a boy he asked if he could have a calculator. I said "no." He said, "But Dad, all the other kids have calculators." My imagination sometimes runs rampant. I visualized society one hundred years from now - EVERYONE had calculators, and other great things. Then, suddenly, the main battery of all things broke down. And, when people were asked, "How much is three and four?" Panic set in! "Duh, I don't know' was the answer. HARRY.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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