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Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Hi, I am considering getting one of these books. I have heard great things about both, but am not sure which to get.
I am looking for some advanced close-up magic, and mainly do cards. However, I am looking for some coin magic also, AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T USE GIMMICKS. I don't like using gimmicks, be it cards or coins. It is also preferable for most of the routines to be impromptu, or for the set-up to be able to be done in front of the spectators, and with little or no table space. If anyone could help me, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Shane Wiker |
AaronShields Loyal user 296 Posts |
My vote would be for the Jennings book. Overall, I think the material is much more useable.
Another suggestion: Open your mind to the world of gimmicks, they're wonderful if employed properly, awful if employed improperly. Then again, what isn't? |
joeKing Special user United States 979 Posts |
Jennings for me as well...The book is above a classic and should definetely be in every magicians library...Not saying Dingle's book is bad, just with my taste.
~joeKing
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magicjosh2 Regular user Manchester. UK. 134 Posts |
Another Larry Jennings fan here, you will probably find more material to use out of Classic Magic than out of The Complete Works.There is a good selection of card and coin magic in the Jennings book.
Best Wishes,
Mark |
Tom Cutts Staff Northern CA 5925 Posts |
Hi Shane,
I would agree with the Jennings kudos. The Dingle book is great but I think it is even beyond the Jennings book in terms of difficulty, at least for the routines it is most known for. That said, I have a first edition of The Classic Magic of Larry Jennings which I was about to put up for sale, since I recently ponyed up for an autographed copy. PM me and I will give you the details. Cheers, Tom |
joeKing Special user United States 979 Posts |
Another thing to note is that a lot of the effects in Dingle's book require gaffs or a lot of set-up...So if you tend to avoid those (like myself) than more the reason go with Larry Jennings' book.
~joeKing
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Magic Dave New user 51 Posts |
The Dingle book. At one point, Derek Dingle was THE man, the best in the world.
Dingle was also more of a real-world performer (something I consider when learning material to perform). Not everything in the book is for the real world, but there's enough. To be fair, the Jennings book is loaded with great material as well. I have more in my repitoire from the Dingle book than the Vernon book. Both are important books for intermediate to advanced close-up magicians. |
therntier Special user 681 Posts |
I would go for the Jennings book as well. Less than a year ago, I asked the same questions and got mixed results. I ended up with both books, which is the best situation. However, I do enjoy the effects from the Jennings book more. Most of the effects just list a deck of cards as the required props, which is very nice. However, I think it is unfair to say that the effects in Dingle's book mostly require props, because there is a lot in their that doesn't. A lot of great stuff in there that doesn't.
Another note is that I don't have two other books in my collection that are as close to the same as these. That is, they share quite a few common effects, each with their own personal twists. For the most part, I like Jennings' approach to these plots. Finally, if you are looking for something that doesn't require a table, these book will be of little help. There are effects that can be done in the hands, but most of the effects require a surface to work on. At any rate, no matter where you spend your money regarding these books, you win. |
Sk8rDave Regular user California 189 Posts |
The dingle book is better illustrated and better written than the Jennings book. The mistakes in the Jennings books along with the poor writing make it difficult to read, at times. I often wonder how much better the book would have turned out if Larry had known the difference between gross and net.
When it comes to the material, I believe there are two main reasons why the Jennings book gets a higher rating from most people. First: The Jennings book has more card tricks that just require a deck of cards or a packet of cards from a deck. No heavy set up, no gimmicks, just a deck of cards. Second: The Dingle book contains his handlings of a number of plots that have made the rounds over the years so you are more likely to have seen similar information in other books. As has been said by my magical namesake, Derek was "the man", so a lot of magicians have paid homage by taking the good ideas and publishing variations in their books. This means that many of the ideas that were so new and groundbreaking in 1982, when it was published, have made their way into main stream magic. This is less so with the Jennings book. Keep in mind, though, that Dingle worked for real people a lot more than Jennings did. The Dingle book is a combination of "workers" and magician foolers but some of the best stuff requires you to be seated or have sleeves. The Jennings book has a lot of tricks that don't have those requirements and the quality of the tricks varies from decent to excellent. Each book has it's place. I learned what it takes to make the riffle pass work from the Dingle book and there's a bit of finesse that makes the Faro much easier to do consistently. Hope this helps, Dave |
Joe S. Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 272 Posts |
I'm interested in the book too. What kind of difficulty are we talking here? Are all the effects the same level?
Anyone? Thanks |
Joe S. Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 272 Posts |
Please note, I'm familiar with the effects, just not the difficulty of his presentation and handling.
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wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Both books are part of the education of any well rounded card man. Dingle had a reputation as a hardcore sleight of hand guy and delighted on slipping in an almost selfworking routine using gaffed cards (which he hand made himself) because magicians wouldn't suspect him of using fake cards.
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asper Veteran user 364 Posts |
What's wrong with using gimmicks? If used well, they can add another layer of deception. Most of the anti-gimmick magicians just don't want to carry around stuff...you're limiting yourself by doing that.
No pain, no gain. |
Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Asper, the reason I don't like gimmicks, is for five reasons:
First, I like to carry just a deck of cards wherever I go (I usually just perform casually, and don't want to carry 3 decks, and 20 gimmicked cards with me). Second, I prefer to let people examine the cards, which you can't do with most gimmicked effects. Third, I find that I can accomplish almost anything that can be done with gimmicks, using sleight-of-hand, and prefer it to gimmicks. Fourth, a lot of gimmicked effects require that they have their own deck, even when only one card is gimmicked, so I can’t do it after doing other card effects. Fifth, many gimmicked card effects don’t have instant reset, which is important to me. Everyone has their own opinion, but personally, I prefer sleight-of-hand. Please don’t call me lazy just because I prefer sleight-of-hand to gimmicks. Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'm going to get Classic Magic of Larry Jennings first, and Complete Works of Derek Dingle later. Shane Wiker |
Ben721 Veteran user 314 Posts |
I think it would be the other way around personally. You would be lazy if you used gimmicks, and not if you used sleight of hand. Either way, it doens't matter just as long as the effect looks magical to the spectator. Gimmicks or no gimmicks its all about how the actual effect turns out.
But myself, I'm with you Shane, I don't like using gimicks. Take it Easy.
Check out my new effect "As Good As It Gets" a gimmickles pencil or pen through bill effect. It closely mimmicks the slow motion phase of "Misled." About "As Good AS It Gets" for no gimmicks and everything being borrowed.
http://www.magic-notes.com/th |
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