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FrenchDrop Inner circle I can name that tune in 1647 Posts |
Has anyone ever marketed something like this? I'm thinking it would be cool if someone offered a complete "kit" for people looking to get into Cups & Balls: A nice, relatively inexpensive set of cups and balls, a wand, a close-up mat, and a good book or DVD that starts with all the basic moves and works toward a complete, intermediate-to-advanced routine. Seems like a savvy magic retailer could put together such a kit from items they already sell...maybe even offer a few kits at different price points (decent but inexpensive props; slightly better, more expensive props; and a world-class, money-is-no-object set with top-of-the-line props).
As a card guy with an interest in getting into C&B -- but who has virtually no clue what cups are worth having and what books/DVDs are best -- I'd be very interested in such a "turnkey" solution.
"A great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '… must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them.'” -- Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
As far as props, especially for starting, as beautiful as many of the cups out there are, I would say the props don't matter that much, at least after certain minimum requirements. Those requirements are met by many of the most "affordable" props.
Some of the prop criteria will often be routine specific, so the basics, found in an affordable set, until you learn what other criteria you may want based on your routine desires, would be best. So, for the cups, the more important features, I would say, are stackability, but more specifically, enough space between the cups for the balls. Minimum one ball, obviously, but some like to be able to have all three between two cups, with out any interference with the way the cups rest/stack. Also, recessed/concave bottoms on the cups so that the balls won't roll off them when resting on the inverted cups. Obviously ball size will play into these as well. The above were all issues I actually ran into with my first couple sets. The finer details of these, as well as things like cup weight and size, will come with your progress and personal preferences I find. Of course the actual props can range from spun metal cups, to yea cups, to news paper wrapped glass tumblers. As for learning material, I would suggest Ammar's Complete Cups and Balls, video and or book. Can't go wrong there.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
Terry Holley Inner circle 1805 Posts |
This was available at one time. Pretty close to what you were asking about.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S9557 Terry
Co-author with illusionist Andre' Kole of "Astrology and Psychic Phenomena."
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FrenchDrop Inner circle I can name that tune in 1647 Posts |
Heh! Yeah, that's even more than I had in mind. Fake fruit...carrying bag...I'd settle for a basic setup and a good book or DVD. I'm not surprised that Penguin once marketed a complete cups and balls kit; I'm more surprised they don't still offer one, and no one else does.
I notice Magic Warehouse has the Ammar DVDS. What would be a good, (relatively) inexpensive set of cups and balls that would fit the standards gdw mentions (which make a lot of sense to me)? How about a wand and mat? Are those necessary? Seems like a lot of the routines I've seen incorporate those things.
"A great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '… must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them.'” -- Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
No, although a wand is virtually required. So many benefits, mainly psychological.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
An inexpensive way to go is a simple plastic set, with all the cups the same color, and Tom Osbourne's "Cups and Balls Magic" booklet. There are plenty of videos on YouTube so that a beginner can see how the moves should look. It doesn't get any more basic than that. The basic instructions, that come with cheap cups, are usually inadequate and will cause most to give up on the trick.
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Octopus Sun Special user Wiggle Wiggle 586 Posts |
The forums have all the info you need if you research a little.
Seriously. Your question has been answered many many times already. I did a quick search and found all sorts of info. |
FrenchDrop Inner circle I can name that tune in 1647 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-08 09:53, Octopus Sun wrote: About complete cups & balls starter kits being marketed by magic retailers?
"A great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '… must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them.'” -- Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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Donnie Buckley V.I.P. Cleveland, Ohio 1123 Posts |
I could do this and build the kit around the Foxy 2.5 Aluminum cups. I have the balls, wands and books. Including a DVD would probably be cost prohibitive and I currently have no selection of mats, that could be remedied easily, but I don't think it is necessary for a starter kit.
Including load balls would be expensive, and I can't ship tennis balls via air. Could probably do the cups, wand, balls and booklet for about $120.00. It's a good idea actually - I like it. |
FrenchDrop Inner circle I can name that tune in 1647 Posts |
Thanks, Donnie. I think it's a good idea, too, of course. If you decide to go forward with it, you can thank me by sending me the first set.
"A great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '… must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them.'” -- Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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yin_howe Special user Malaysia 985 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-08 14:52, Donnie Buckley wrote: Wow... at $120, it is a very very good deal if Rnt2 decides to do this.
"Talent without passion is talent wasted.."
https://www.youtube.com/user/yinhowe80/ |
afinemesh Inner circle Senseless gibberish that amounts to 2621 Posts |
Coming from RNT2, that would be a great deal!!
"I've always been mental, I'm sure of it" Boris Pocus
"Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny". . .Bruce Springsteen |
FrenchDrop Inner circle I can name that tune in 1647 Posts |
How about a set of 2" Goshman sponges as the final load balls in a cups & balls kit? Not nearly as impressive as the 2 3/8" heavy crocheted balls, but relatively cheap and easy to ship....
"A great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '… must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them.'” -- Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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gdw Inner circle 4884 Posts |
Sponge balls, IMHO, defeat the purpose of the final loads. One of the first things that audiences wonder is if the final loads compress on some way. One of the reasons dropping the balls from a few inches onto the table is such a great subtlety in the end.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
I won't forget you Robert. |
FrenchDrop Inner circle I can name that tune in 1647 Posts |
Hm. Good point.
"A great magician has said of his profession that its practitioners '… must pound and rack their brains to make the least learning go in, but quarrelling always comes very naturally to them.'” -- Susanna Clarke, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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Neuromancer Regular user 121 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-03-08 14:52, Donnie Buckley wrote: Hi Donnie, so did you actually go through with this idea? I'd be interested but couldn't find anything on your site...
cya
Neuromancer |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Final loads? Lemons, potatoes, dog balls.... choice is endless. Wand? Drumstick, or as Charlie Miller like, the cardboard tube off a hangar. There are hundreds of video clips of C&B routines on you tube. Just learn the basic sleights and get comfortable handling the props.
Some great routines just use tea cups.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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RS1963 Inner circle 2734 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-06-22 02:35, Pete Biro wrote: I think Pete is right on the mark with this post. A starter kit sounds nice. But I think in most cases it would be better to find your own starter set and work from there. The cups really don't matter. Daniel Cross when he worked at the Desert Inn in Vegas used paper cups that had the Pepsi logo printed on them. The cups had attic space etc and worked just as well as any metal set produced today. Micheal Skinner used coffee cups on the tonight show. If you look around you may find metal cups in places such as Bed and Bath stores that will be to your liking. Granted they will be as they are called "found" cups that aren't intended to do magic with but again that doesn't matter. Just find a routine you like grab any type of cup that will work for now, and you will be well on your way. |
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