Hi, what would be the first trick that all would-be magician should learn? I think it is chop cups. It's easy to pick up the basics, it's visual, and covers many principles of what a good trick can produce it terms of the it's effect on both the audience and the performer.

Francis

It all depends on what your style is. You mentioned the cups, does that mean that you like to perform close-up or parlour perhaps? That's a very broad question to ask because it's hard to say what the end all be all trick is because not every magician performs the same genre of magic. You expect a close-up worker to have the same answer as a stage illusionist. Maybe a better question would be what are some principles that every magician should learn. Because you can apply principles to every facet of magic. Just my humble opinion.

Cheers,
Fred

Hi Fred,

I was thinking even before we decide which area of specialties one should go to, the very first trick that would really inspire us and give us the most opportunities to learn most about magic. I perform for children in big groups of about 100 of them and I do close-up when I go into the classroom. In retropect, I thought if only I started learning chop cups and cups and balls tricks befor many others, I would have pick up more skill from this single item than many other tricks I have.

Francis

That sounds more like a personal inquiry than anything else. I know the first trick that inspired me was the dime and penny. It opened my mind to the world of magic and I have never forgotten it. So it's kind of subjective.

I think that one trick every starting magician should learn, is "dr. Daleys last trick" or on whatever name you might know it.
Though it doesn't teach you that much about magic, the reactions you can get from the audience compared to effort of learning that trick can really inspire you to dig deeper in to the world of magic.
Atleast that's what happened to me

Very interesting question - certainly one that starts with, "what would have been the first trick I should have learned".

Cups and Balls was the turning point for me in understanding and learning magic. The principles learned cut across all types of magic and has framed my view of every effect/routine I perform.

Not sure that the dedication required makes it the right first trick, but it should certainly be learned early in the learning process.

Hudson

That question implies that you actually have a conscientious choice in the matter. I learned my first trick when I was about 6... From my grand father... Who was by no means a magician. He taught me the “vanishing glass” illusion (put a quarter on the table, put a glass over it, cover with a piece of paper... Glass vanishes and reappears under the table....). After that, my parent bought me the magic sets that were available in the local stores. At that time, there is no way I could have said “You know dad, I think I should start with the cups and balls first!”.

Louis

The only thing that really matters is to learn to do your 1st trick extremely well before showing it. You will know what to do from that point on.
It's quality not quantity that counts when it comes to performing Magic.
If your intent is to entertain others, then nothing less than quality will do. Put in the effort to make your trick a Magical experience rather than a clever puzzle.
Storytelling is an important part of Magic, along with a little acting and the hundreds of little bits and pieces you'll learn as you study Showmanship.
95% of good Magic is psychology. Take away the psychology and all that is left is a trick.
Iven

Iven… Well said… the trick is presenting something so that it appears to be magic. I have been trying to improve on my story telling skills to make the miracles more meaningful. Do you have some sources that you could recommend to become a better story teller?

Thanks,
Bruce

I would have to say the cups and balls.

If you were going to learn a trick first in isolation from a wider technical base: Peter Rabbit from someone who really knows what they are doing.

Best,

In the vein of what Iven posted but condensed is:
The first trick you should learn is tricks by themselves are nothing.

Iven has the right idea.
But in regards the original question I think it was more looking at 'what trick can teach you the most'? For me, and this echoes Iven's statements I feel, it would be something bafflingly simple. A coin palm or a key card routine.

At first the 'trick' is embarrassing in it's simplicity but once you actually perform it the realization of it's impact is know. You learn it's how you do something, and not what you do.
If the first trick teaches you a principle, a full scope of the art form, then it is a very good trick indeed I feel.

Hmmm, the "First trick we should learn"...a subjective one to be sure...mine was Nickels To Dimes. It still is one of my favorites today. Multiplying Billiard Balls was much more difficult because it took quite a bit of practice. The reaction is the same. ("Whaaaa? How'd you DO that???")

I guess you should ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" What purpose do you have for changing/vanishing a coin/cards/balls? Your first trick should be themed for entertainment. That is our goal is it not? Are you challenging the spectator to figure it out? A Puzzle? Or a temporary trip into a moment of enchantment? Once you have that figured out, the first tricks should be self-working, so you can concentrate on the story of enchantment!

Taking the spectator into a fantasy world of mystery and impossible possibilities is really our purpose in doing magic in the first place, right? Your first trick should follow that theme, otherwise it is reduced to a puzzle. I have been doing magic for almost 40 years. I am just learning this. I am learning new things about our craft every day. I find that the more I learn, the more I realize I am still a beginner is some areas! Not an easy thing to accept!

The first trick we should learn, should teach us the value of the art. Nickles To Dimes is a perfect example. It is inexpensive, and allows a broad range of themes to build on. A simple card packet trick like Twisted Sisters, NFW or even Color Monte is another example. As a beginner I found the more difficult, more expensive and larger props and routines depending on sleight of hand, and months of practice really didn't increase my spectator's "shock and awe".

Find a simple self-working trick and think about what fits YOU in the performance. Make your presentation one they will never forget! Think of a story. A reason for the magic to take place. I hope this makes sense. This is something I wish I had thought about forty years ago! I could have gone so much further!

:)

Doug

I agree the first trick we learn should be a trick that inspires you. I've been a magician for about 35 years. My first trick that really inspired me was when I pushed a dime through a thin sheet of rubber. I looked at that rubber sheet and could not figure out how it happened. It was like real magic to me. I was inspired to learn and read all I could about magic.

The first slight of hand trick I sat down and tried to master was George Sands Sensational Rope Routine. But that took a lot more practice than the dime through rubber sheet.

Using the "Key card locator" principle with a deck of cards. It's easy and mind blowing. It gives you a chance to figure out & work on your performing personality.

IMO the criteria should be:
1. Self-working or very easy to perform.
2. Simple effect with little to memorize.
3. The magic should happen fairly soon.
4. The magic should be clear and easy to follow.

And the goals of the first effect should be to build confidence and learn to interact with spectators.

That was a Great post Dougini, well written.


Ja

I've dabbled with magic off and on for 25 years or so, but never taken it seriously.

I've started to recently and started asking myself the same question.

For me, the answer has become much the same as Dougini's. Before, when I took an interest, it was to learn a trick.
Now, I have a more overarching goal: The ability to inject magic into any situation and to be able to use magic to highlight a story or concept unrelated to magic.

With that in mind, the tricks I want to learn are ones that I can impart multiple analogies to... attribute multiple stories to. With the mechanics solidly down, I am then more prepared to perform more spontaneously... to inject magic into more conversations, etc.

And I want to know effect, at the very least, in pairs. Because my hope is that in doing one effect, more will be requested... and I want to be able to provide that. So I'm looking for multiple tricks where I can see similar analogies, but from different angles, if that makes sense.

It's also less expensive when you have some goal in mind... so you aren't lured into every shiny thing at the magic store.

-Mike

Thank you very much! I really appreciate Francis starting this thread. It made me think about what I'm doing and why. I have to give credit to Walt Anthony. His book, Tales Of Enchantment: The Art Of Magic, really changed the way I think about why and how I do magic, and to whom I perform. This is a great art we have entered into, and I appreciate it more than ever! Great topic, guys!