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big howie New user 2 Posts |
I note that my hands are not very nimble and my ring and pinkie fingers in particular are pretty useless.
Obviously there's no substitution for practicing with card or coin in hand but sometimes that's not an option. Are there any exercises anyone can recommend that I can work on? Thanks so much |
Wravyn Inner circle 3482 Posts |
Google finger exercises.
Also take a look at this: https://youtu.be/omldgQTiC8s You can use sponge balls for the manipulation exercises. Take it slow and don't become frustrated, it is a new learned skill set and you will notice progress. |
Jason Simonds Veteran user Pensacola, FL 318 Posts |
Get a squeeze ball. If you don't have one, get a sheet of paper/newspaper and crumple it up into a ball and use it like a squeeze ball. Squeeze it for about 5 minutes 2-3 times a day. It will help build hand strength.
Practice the magic that you want to do. That will help build up dexterity, strength, and muscle memory. And like Wravyn said above, practice slowly and focus on being precise and correct. Speed will come with time. |
funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
These good exercises are based on compressing the fingers around an object. Also work on outward strength fro muscle balance - different tendons.
Stick you hand in deep container of rice while watching TV. Close your fingers slowly, then expand aggressively.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
Merodach New user North Carolina 95 Posts |
I have never been a fan of squeeze balls, raw grip strength is something I don't think most magicians need.
Dexterity however is very important, 52 Cards has a good basic video: https://52kards.com/video/finger-dexterity-exercise/. However, if you are a musician and play guitar or piano (etc.), I think warming up with your instrument (when practical) or "cross training" with an instrument is a great way to develop and maintain your finger dexterity. |
big howie New user 2 Posts |
Quote:
On May 2, 2023, Merodach wrote: Yeah my hand strength isn't really too much of an issue, though it's always good to work on. My issue is isolating the movement of, say, a pinkie or ring finger or sometimes even getting one hand to do a motion without the other hand kind of mirroring the same motion. I'll take a look at this link, thanks a lot. |
dmcknight New user who finally has 63 Posts |
I was talking with someone this weekend about learning to play the guitar, he asked if there was anything you could buy or exercises to help with dexterity on that front. I told him to pick 2-3 favorite songs he wanted to learn, and practice practice practice.
I think the same is true for hand dexterity in magic. Pick a couple of tricks and practice the moves, practice getting into and out of the moves, practice the patter, hand gestures, eye contact. Timing. Some of these disciplines can be done during family TV time while others you'd want to be in a quiet place where you're not disturbing others.
"Success" is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.
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funsway Inner circle old things in new ways - new things in old ways 9982 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 19, 2023, dmcknight wrote: Remember that Houdini would practice tying knots with his toes during a theater performance. Apparently, he even wore fake sock tops so that he only had to slip off his shoes. Back in the 90's when I performed a lot, I would go about daily activities with a half dollar hidden in my hands -- driving, eating, dialing a phone, shaking hands, making change, teaching a class, etc. The key is being able to secretly transfer the coin from hand to hand using natural actions, plus a variety of palming postures selected automatically. At other times a ball or key. I made it part of me - more than just natural/normal. Many folks work at some method of showing both hands empty for a specific effect. Why? Work at making having a hidden coin be part of who you are at all times, everywhere. Now arthritis makes it difficult to hold a folk. Practice now while you can - and often. A dozen sleights now become easy and interchangeable.
"the more one pretends at magic, the more awe and wonder will be found in real life." Arnold Furst
eBooks at https://www.lybrary.com/ken-muller-m-579928.html questions at ken@eversway.com |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Quote:
On Jun 19, 2023, dmcknight wrote: I wanted so badly to execute the One Handed Rifle Shuffle as well as the late Daryl's Hot Shot Cut. There was no way. My fingers/hands would not cooperate even a little bit. BUT like dmcknight posted, I just kept at it. Did I get frustrated?? Oh Ya !!!!! But I wanted to learn. Along the way/journey-small victories and then success . To top it off, ,I learned to do both moves with both my right and left hand. Practice, practice, practice and practice some more. Don't ask me how long it took me, but it you want something, put in the time. Enjoy the journey!!
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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