Jay Leno told me "You have to perform every day. Each day you DO NOT perform you go BACKWARDS."

Having a Tarbell open and a prop in hand can get repetitive, but repetition is the aim!
I keep that in mind.

Someone I respect deeply told me about the Japanese definition of "haragei"(used in martial arts).
That is (freely interpreted)technique beyond technique. Reading the actions, thoughts and motivations of your "enemy" (spectators). Feeling when he goes into an action and react on that. Sensing what seems to be the right thing to do.

All things that will only grow after the technical aspects of your art are taken care of. And more interesting: Only relevant in front of real people!

I think however basic your technique is, there should be a point where you audience test it before you can make refinements.

I'm workiong on this cups and balls routine...i like it....but it has problems...i have been doing this for about 4 months...workin in my little room...i take it out and do it on the streets from time to time....and the audience lets me know whats working and whats not working...its a solid routine with a few little problems...and everytime I perform it...i learn a little more about how it plays....soon it will be a working peice....now that's a big deal becaus ein my 39 years of doiung amgic I only have 7 or 8....things that are good enough in my eyes to go out and do...things that have been tested and performed 1000's of time in front of an audience...cellini told me once....go out and work on the streets...because what you learn in one year on the pavement is equal to what you would learn in 10 years in any other performance envirnment....restarants...stage...parties....bar....what ever it is.....out there its never controlled....and you'd better be good or they will walk......

who ever posted this...its turning into a good subject

kozz

Lately I've been practicing coin magic for about 5 hours a day, and I just do it infront of the mirror, or I video tape myself (with the patter) from different angles. I practice classic palming( getting in and out of), my No Extra's Gone Gaffed, simple backfire, simple assemblies, shadow coins, and also intertwining the different tricks into one. Practice, Practice, Practice, still doesn't make perfect. Darn.
Sincerely,
Rmax

I guess I am one of those that doesn't believe in practicing in front of a spectator. I will work on effect at home for at least 6 months and only that effect. I break it down with practicing the motions of the moves then I will put the whole trick into sequence. After I have done that I will practice the whole sequence for at least a couple of months. Then I will work on patter, that I usually will write down some ideas then work on them infront of my camera and my wife.....When I get the o.k. from her It will be put into the act in the middle ( most people will remember your opener and closer so the middle is a good place for a new effect). It usually is at least 9 to 10 months before I put anything in the act. Then again I very rarely will I change something unless I am working on a new act...And that is a totally different story...LOL

tpdmagic

Practice, Practice, still doesn't make perfect

As Dai Vernon once said...Practice does NOT make perfect...only PROPER practice makes perfect!

Mike

Practice makes permanent!!... so practice well or your bad habits will become permanent