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syphon101 New user 32 Posts |
What is Banachek's book, Psychological Subtleties like? Would you recommend it?
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PsiDroid Inner circle 2164 Posts |
It's a book full of known and less known psychological principles. In my opinion is a gold mine for the working performer.
I would recommend it. Droid |
1908 Special user 882 Posts |
I would recommend it,too but what do you want exactly-what kind of magic you are doing?If you are new to this kind of magic i would not recommend it for the simple reason that it it preferable to read other books in mental magic first(i would say that is not for the beginner but that is wrong-just choose something else first-my opinion...)
Don't wait for the perfect moment...Take a moment and make it perfect!!!
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Bob Baker Inner circle 1111 Posts |
If you perform mentalism regularly--not mental magic, mentalism--this book is a gold mine.
If you do a few mental items in your act, it is of little value to you. |
syphon101 New user 32 Posts |
Well, I'm just starting to get into mentalism, so I would say I am a beginner. I don't know much about it right now.
I'm not sure exactly what kind of mentalism I want to perform. I plan on exploring different types and see what I like. As of right now, I like doing things with PK (Psychokinetic Time and M5). I use the Mind Power Deck a lot, too. I want to appear to be doing 'real' magic. I find all that psychological magic very intriguing. I want to look more into that as well (like what Derren Brown does). What would you guys recommend I start with? |
Bambaladam Special user 636 Posts |
To do what Derren Brown does, read his books Pure Effect and Absolute Magic. Also read Henning Nelms and Ortiz, Berger, Knepper or anyone else focusing on presentation.
I would suggest, if you are starting out, to get Corrinda's 13 steps to mentalism. And Annemann's Practical Mental Magic. And then, maybe, if you feel what you want is an edge to add to what you're already doing, get PK subtleties. /bamba |
syphon101 New user 32 Posts |
Thank you, Bamba, for those recommendations. I'm going to look into those right away.
(Edit) I looked for Derren Brown's books on his website and it says that all copies of "Absolute Magic" have been sold. Where would I be able to get a copy of this? |
Turk Inner circle Portland, OR 3546 Posts |
syphon101,
I wholeheartedly agree with Bambaladam's book list. I'm especially partial to the Berger books. IMHO, if not in all magic, at least in mentalism, a good effect is 90% presentation and 10% "moves". Berger could perform a mentalism effect with a ham sandwich that would have the audience members wetting their pants or breaking out in hives. Great stuff. I would add The Jinx series (vol 1-3) It has a lot of mentalism in it--as well as lots of good practical regular magic effects. The series is not much on "patter" but that is really a blessing in disguise because it forces you to do what you should be doing anyway, namely, originating our own patter and presentation that fits your style. The Jinx series has the added advantage that the effects are so old, they are new. IMHO, another source of good mental material is most of the material written by Steve Minch. Steve did (and does) a lot of writing for other magicians. "Mind Melds" is one such example. Also, Phil Goldstein's mentalism pamphlet series (such as "The Blue Book of Menatalism" . Also includes the red, the green, the yellow and the Violet books are also part of this series). Phil's routines are roughly 50-50 split on mentalism-mental magic. However, presentation is everything and a mental magic effect can be thoughtfully routined into a mentalism effect (and vice-versa). Unfortunately these pamphlets were published in the early 80s and will be difficult to find. Hope this helps. Turk
Magic is a vanishing Art.
This must not be Kansas anymore, Toto. Eschew obfuscation. |
espmagic Special user 978 Posts |
Allow me to quote Dr. Bob -
"Question: What book or books are essential reading for someone just starting out in mentalism? "First answer: Annemann's Practical Mental Effects and Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism are for every mentalist. "Second Answer: Annemann and Corinda are out of date. The best book is T. A. Water's Mind, Myth and Magic. "Third answer: Water's wasn't a performer and most of his effects aren't very practical. All you need is Corinda. "Fourth answer: A great book for the beginner is Henry Hay's The Amateur Magician's Handbook. "Fifth answer: Don't forget Larry Becker's Stunners! "Sixth answer: Banachek's Psychological Subtleties and Richard Busch's Peek Performances top my list of essential reading for the modern mentalist. "While all of the respondant's mentioned valuable works, I agree with only one of the answers - the fourth. It is the only suggestion that answers THE ORIGINAL QUESTION. (caps mine) None of the other books are particularly suitable for those "just starting out in magic, particularly mentalism"... And Dr. Bob knows what he is talking about. |
adniroc New user 18 Posts |
I agree with Dr. Bob, but for the beginner I think Karl Fulves' "Self-Working Mental Magic" should be mentioned. Even though the stuff in it isn´t the best, it still gives some good thoughts about how mentalism works--and it´s cheap, too.
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rrubin98 Veteran user Cogito, ergo sum scripsit 357 Posts |
Psychological Subtleties is one of my favorite books. But I agree that it's not for a beginner of mentalism.
- Richard |
Stef New user 60 Posts |
Psychological Subtelties is a good EXERCISE for your mind. It helps you to understand the concept of mentalism. Although there are some effects you can perform, you need to have performed some time before you can understand it better.
So if you are looking for a book on effects, go for the selections mentioned above. If you already have them (or some), in the long run, this is a worthwhile book to have in your library.
Life is a throw of the die.
Mentally yours. |
Brady Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 235 Posts |
Besides all the above, which are great volumes, I would suggest something you may already have in your library. In many of the volumes of Tarbell's course in magic there are sections on mentalism and mental magic. Lots of the basic principles are covered and many of the effects can be reworked for todays mentalist.
Just a thought. Regards, Brady |
debaser Special user Boulder 557 Posts |
If you want a fun Tarbell routine, check out the magazine test. Fairly impractical but fun.
matt |
BIlly James Special user 991 Posts |
Psychological Subtleties is a wonderful book for a working mentalist, it has many devices for adding impact to the routines you are already performing.
There is one section containing a 'psychological test' where one spectator must tell the truth while another must lie, this, I believe, is a great impromptu piece and for my money almost worth the price of admission. |
Taylor Jarratt New user 10 Posts |
Last year I managed to get my hands on a used copy of this book and quite frankly I now regard it as one of the best books I’ve ever read, however I have one of the earlier copies which I now realise has less pages than the newer prints. So I was wondering what exactly am I missing out on and would it be worth me buying one of the newer copies?
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Rhewin Loyal user 250 Posts |
The newer one was expanded to include some additional routines and ideas from other mentalists. Some people also misunderstood the concept and didn’t get the subtleties were to enhance your routines, not be their own thing. The newer version addresses that. Banachek also mentions the changes help make it flow better with PS2 and what would later become PS3. Finally, Banachek included more credits. There may be a bit more to it but those are the main differences.
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Taylor Jarratt New user 10 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 13, 2021, Rhewin wrote: Ah right ok. Thank you very much! |
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