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Mr. Ed Veteran user California 337 Posts |
When you are brand spankin, just out of the box, don't know a paddle move from a body load new, you want to buy the easy instant magician tricks.
I was there and I'm sure most of you were there. I have heard endless times about all that stuff in your old magic junk drawers. So why is it when a "new comer" asks what effect to buy, the only advice given is the sensible. Yes starting out with Bobo's and Royal Road is the sensible thing to do. Had I done that I would have much more money today. However, was buying those dice bombs, and stripper decks, and ball and vase a waste of my money, or did it solidify my interest and make me appreciate the art of magic more? While the advice given is good advice, sometimes kids just want to be kids, even if they're fifty. Is buying the instant gratification effect a rite of passage, or a waste of money. You make the call. Please let me know what you think. :die:
He who laughs, lasts.
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Lance Pierce Special user 878 Posts |
It's just like dealing with your own kids, Ed, if you have any. You give them the best advice you can. You don't expect them to follow it.
TCR |
RiffClown Inner circle Yorktown, Virginia (Previously Germany) 1579 Posts |
IMHO, If everyone started out with illusions that required extensive work and practice instead of the instant gratification of, say a Svengali Deck or the ever popular DeLand's, a lot of young magicians would quickly become young ex-magicians. I think the instant tricks have a place in the learning curve for many beginners to help maintain interest while the more advanced techniques can be learned.
Rob "Riff, the Magical Clown" Eubank aka RiffClown
<BR>http://www.riffclown.com <BR>Magic is not the method, but the presentation. |
Paul Menzel Special user Boise, Idaho 530 Posts |
I think the advice directing new-comers towards books is meant to povide them with the most information and material for their money. However, I suspect it is the reaction received from performing magic that leads newbies deeper into the art, and that means starting out with simple, and often "self-working" magic. I've been interested in magic since childhood, but my pursuit of magic as an adult began with the purchase of a stripper deck. While it provided enjoyable, instant magic, I realized the limitation of being tied to a specific deck of cards right away. I eventually moved on from there and now know a trick or two that require no special props. (Okay...maybe three...or four...or...)
If someone asks me about starting in magic, I point them towards a gimmicked deck or two and "The Royal Road" to begin with so they have something to start presenting while they learn the "real" stuff. If the primary interest is in coins, I'll suggest Scotch and Soda or dime and penny and "Modern Coin Magic." I vote for the "rite of passage" option over waste of money. I have plenty of items that I've never used, but I don't regret buying any of them I've learned something from each. |
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Rob and Paul are probably right: It is a rite of passage.
After all, no matter how you start, there is going to be a point where you will HAVE to buy something like the Ball and Vase simply to learn how it works; that's part of the learning curve. But remember that most of us started as kids. And kids like owning lots of "stuff". So having a dozen different trick decks, each one doing only one trick, is totally understandable to a young beginner. And, besides, to get from A to C you have to pass B. In the same vein, to get from being a newbie to a skilled performer, you have to go through certain stages. And one of those stages is accumulating a ton of stuff that you will probably never use (and at great expense, too!) |
Mr. Ed Veteran user California 337 Posts |
Thanks for the replys gentleman, I thought this would make for an interesting discusion. It seems my thoughts are in line with others.
He who laughs, lasts.
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
YOU'RE ALL WRONG!
Actually I don't think that, but I wanted to keep Ed from getting too comfortable, and make it seem like there was more debate on this! I still have tons of stuff I never use, and I won't sell it or give it away. There's memories in that thar junk! TCR is right--we try to give the best advice, but we know it will most likely be ignored. I always try to recommend the Mark Wilson book to total newbies. Lots of great stuf and great bang for the buck.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Musashi Regular user Oregon 132 Posts |
I am a newbie!
I read the posts. I disregarded them.....at first. Now I conccur. Read the books first. I am 35 and just starting into magic, I have to agree Ed, "While the advice given is good advice, sometimes kids just want to be kids, even if they're fifty." and I have proceeded much like a kid. I have quite a few gimmicks, which after only a few months are laready starting to gather dust, in favor of 4 JFK half dollars that are almost always with me (even on my nightstand... ) and my pack of Bikes. I read some Bobo or Royal road before bed every night....the pages are already getting frayed! So....I guess it's best to proceed as TCR suggests and act... "...like dealing with your own kids,... You give them the best advice you can. You don't expect them to follow it." And let 'em learn. For me anyway it wasn't the instant gratification of being able to do a trick, but the burn of learning how simple (in words) the illusion is that keeps me going. Every page of a book brings a new and devilish grin to my face!
"Care for a Jelly Baby?"
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WR Special user Utah 945 Posts |
I feel it is important to say that it is the presentation not the gimic or deck that really sells. I still wow people with the Vanishin silk ala T.T. and the hot rod. I am not suggesting the die bomb or super cheezy stuff but some cheap stuff is still great.
MOst magically yours, WR
"Tell Em WR sent Ya."
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