|
|
JonathanB New user Hampshire, UK 67 Posts |
After a somewhat false start last year into the world of magic, I've finally got around to picking things up again. A friend suggested a really good set of DVDs to start learning some card magic and I also (from before) have the Mark Wilson book. As I've been going through the first of the DVDs (on self-working card magic) I've though that it might be useful to jot down some basics for each trick so that it is easier to remember when coming back later on.
Anyhow, I've searched the forums for hints and tips on the best way to make notes (i.e. to help quickly remember the process or start state for a particular trick) but haven't come across much advice in this area (probably because there are lots of tricks involving notebooks and notes!) Does anyone have any good ideas on how to organise a notebook for aide memoire purposes? Would perhaps index cards be better? A combination of both? A rough notebook and then a neater one? |
Russo Inner circle So.California / Centl.Florida / retired Florida 1165 Posts |
Yes all the above -- I keep all instructions received with effect in a loose leaf binder (hundred!!)- but still try to make all patter my own - suggestions I like to share -- go to 'search' put in 'russo' user name-a lot of ideas (and personal comments if you want to wade through them L-O-L ) 70 years pro- Ralph (russo) Rousseau
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I like 3 ring note books. But, it's a matter of personal preference. 3x5 index cards are a bit too small.
I use Dariel Fitzkee's list of EFFECTS in his "The Trick Brsin", and have a separate section of the book for each of the 19 EFFECTS. (E.G.: PRODUCIION...VANISH...TRANSPOSITION...TRANSFORMATION...PENETRATION...RESTORATION...etc. I don't keep notes on "mental stuff", as I'm just not interested in such. Ditto with most card tricks, and/or tricks with cards. (There's a difference!) Some props can provide more than one EFFECCT, such as egg bag (production/vanish) . These notes are filed under "combination". There's also a file for "utility gimmicks" (reels, topits, etc.) The above files are for notes, (WHICH ARE DATED!) I keep a separate file for miscellaneous instruction sheets. And a separate file from THAT, for instruction sheets and notes for tricks USED IN THE ACT. MOST of the tricks I perform, involve GENERIC PROPS (silks, rope, cards, coins, etc.) Props like egg bag, 3 linking rings, mutilated parasol (YES! I use one for kids, and, it's a STRONG EFFECT. --I wrote up the routine in my book!) instructions are filed there, too. If you don't keep notes, one of these days, you'll wish that you had!!! This is, by no means a COMPLETE "list"!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
DaveGripenwaldt Elite user 487 Posts |
I want to encourage you to definitely pursue the note-taking. You will thank yourself years down the road because there is soooooo much material you will run across, from tricks you see done to great advice here to idea fodder on youtube to your own ideas, etc. There is just no way to retain it all (unless you have taken Harry Lorayne's Memory Course. I keep forgetting to do that...)
For me, the Evernote program is a genius solution. You can create notebooks, under which you can have individual notes. The “notes” can be in the form of videos, photos, text notes, Document scans etc. And it's cross-platform so I have the same notes on my phone (great for adding information and ideas on the fly) and my PC at home and at work (of course I would NEVER use my work PC to play with magic notes if the boss is reading this). It automatically syncs so everything is current on all electronics AND backed up on the cloud. Plus, since my phone has a speech to text function, I can be anywhere an idea strikes me and just dictate straight to the phone, copy to Evernote and not have to use a keyboard so I will actually make notes because it's easy. And...say a Café denizen posts a link to something saying, "this is a great routine", you can copy the link into your notes and you can click directly to the video from Evernote to refer to it. And I am note even using half the features it offers. And it's free. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
>>>>>>>>>>>>AND, IT'S FREE~<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Why didn't I (me) think of that~? Now, you have no excuse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
JonathanB New user Hampshire, UK 67 Posts |
I do have an Evernote account, but was thinking going slightly more old fashioned pen/pencil style. Perhaps I should reconsider after all! Maybe a cheap paper notebook which can then be typed up into Evernote for better organisation. Thanks, keep the ideas and comments coming!
|
danaruns Special user The City of Angels 808 Posts |
I write full, step by step instructions for every trick I use, and for some I don't use but think I might want to in the future. The act of writing out detailed instructions not only preserves the method for the future, but it also forces me to think carefully about it and improves my awareness of each step. I'm old fashioned, I write or type them and print them out, and keep them in physical notebooks.
"Dana Douglas is the greatest magician alive. Plus, I'm drunk." -- Foster Brooks
|
pmarzionna New user Washington, DC 81 Posts |
Hi Johnanthan,
I also use Evernote to organize my Magic Notes and it has been working wonderfully well. What is really good about using Evernote is that you can use the tags, organize notebooks and use the search tool to find information on a certain sleight or a trick that use similar methods or that has a similar theme, for instance. I also take pictures (and save as document) of all the instructions of standalone tricks that I buy, and also from some book pages. Therefore, even if I don't have the books with me, I can still find what I have regarding a certain effect or sleight. Of course, depending on how much you'll use this "picture taking" tool, having a premium account might be a good idea. Best, Paulo |
pmarzionna New user Washington, DC 81 Posts |
There are some interesting comments in this topic in case you decide to go with Evernote:
http://themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic......forum=41 Best, Paulo |
JonathanB New user Hampshire, UK 67 Posts |
Wow, some brilliant info over there - thanks for pointing it out! As I'm sat here on a quiet night shift, I'm about to start up a new Evernote notebook for magic...
|
motown Inner circle Atlanta by way of Detroit 6127 Posts |
I've taken to printing out the DVDs list of effects and using that for basic notes.
"If you ever write anything about me after I'm gone, I will come back and haunt you."
– Karl Germain |
bbeishline New user 62 Posts |
I'm in about the position as Jonathan and have been thinking about making a "Notebook" post for a while so this has been helpful. I have started a notebook. I like the idea of handwritten notes but my handwriting is terrible so I decided to keep a word document instead, and use a font that looks a little like handwriting, currently Bradley Hand ITC. One good thing is that you can always edit and re-arrange information. I plan to print it out and put it in a 3-ring binder, figuring I'll have to re-print pages occasionally if I add to or change something.
I don't have the organization down yet, but plan to have sections for different things. I'm working on a template for what info I want to keep on sleights and moves, and there will be other sections for things like tricks/routines and whatever other topic types become necessary. I'll post up what I have so far in a new topic sometime soon. Hopefully. I'll have to check out Evernote, too. Ben |
pmarzionna New user Washington, DC 81 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 25, 2016, bbeishline wrote: I'll try to make some print screens by the end of the week detailing how I use Evernote. It might be helpful... |
JonathanB New user Hampshire, UK 67 Posts |
I've just got one Magic Notebook where I have a note for each card trick I'm learning with the outline of the working. I tag the note with "Card Magic", "Self Working" (if appropriate) and an abbreviation of where it came from (for example Ultimate Self Working Card Tricks Volume 1 is USWCT1).
As the notebook gets larger I may well need to work out a better organisation strategy! |
bbeishline New user 62 Posts |
I just posted my template for notes on sleights in a new topic here, under the heading Notebook: Slight notes template
Let's see if pasting in a URL works... http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=41 |
JassTan Regular user Singapore 105 Posts |
I think this is all personal taste. You should write in a way that makes sense to you, even if you are just describing how to do the sleights each time and then giving their names.
|
DaveGripenwaldt Elite user 487 Posts |
This thread got me inspired to make more use of Evernote and I've been making use of tags. I know, I know, I am late to the party with tags, but it's my new favorite thing with Evernote.
I am tagging my idea file for tricks and handlings (so far about 150 separate notes since last year). So now, if I want to call up ideas I've had for business card magic, I click the Biz Card tag an up pops only the notes on business card magic ideas. I liked Evernote before, but now I want to kiss whoever came up with with it right on the mouth (this is a limited time offer). |
pmarzionna New user Washington, DC 81 Posts |
Hey Dave, I'm happy to see someone as excited about Evernote as I am! (Although I believe that I have overcome the "I want to kiss whoever came up with with it right on the mouth" stage...)
As I had promised, below is the link of a screenshot of my Evernote, for those who are not familiar with it. As you can see, I use several notebooks for magic, including 4 for the effects, which are classified according to Dan Harlan's method from "More than meets the eye". I'm still developing my tagging (suggestions are welcome!), but I basically tag the type of effect (cards, coin, etc., as well as "cards across", "ace production", etc.), the source of the effect or sleight, the sleights used on the effect, as well as other information that I consider relevant about the effect (e.g. "kids", "bar", "Poker", etc.). Moreover, I always try to include in the note an image of the book that I'm using as a source or information about where to find it in my videos. The images are also text-searchable... http://segueojogo.net/magic/Evernote.png |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Making Notes / Keeping a notebook as an aide memoire (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |