|
|
close_up_act Special user Idaho Falls 773 Posts |
I started teaching my daughter magic at the age of 5, she's 6 now but everything is gimmicky, squared circle, color changing hank, flower production, not saying that there is something wrong with gimmicks but in my opinion true slieght of hand is magic...i was thinking about teaching her some coin magic... she loves to see me perform and practice and she sits there with a penny in her hand and tries to mimmic me, its funny but very heart warming aswell...i'm contimplating showing her some coin work... part of me says go for it... another part says "don't spoil it, just wait for it"...
I'm open to your opinions Café... Junior
J Rodriguez
|
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Children mature at different rates, but six might be pushing it a bit. I have taught the French Drop and a "pushoff-less" double lift to an eight year old. Six, I just don't know.
(Sometimes a smaller hand can be an advantage. My now-ten-year-old is able to feel the edges on a particular taper that are far too fine for me to use reliably. In this case it's probably less about physical ability and more about understanding the dual perspectives that magic requires.) While she's holding that penny, see if she can "palm" the coin in various positions; flat in the palm, finger palm, thumb pinch. I'd call this really advanced, but later on, try her out with a French Drop with that penny. It's a simple vanish with a TON of nuances. Here's what I'd be watching for: If she can drop the coin without it hanging on her lower thumb If she can complete the drop without clinching her "dirty hand" If she can follow the empty hand with her eyes Get this accomplished before her 7th birthday, and you have a prodigy who should be on stage! Best of Luck!
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
Parents start their kids piano playing even earlier than six. If SHE is interested, go for it, if not, let her play with her dolls.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
bowers Inner circle Oakboro N.C. 7024 Posts |
If she has enough want and intrest in it.
I would say go for it. Todd |
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
Rethinking this, I would say no/maybe. If she gets caught she may not be able to handle the confrontation, "I gotcha" like an adult would. Kids are pretty impressive at that age and their developing egos are not immune to ridicule or being made fun of. An adult will let it pass but kids her own age and up will challenge the method. Nothing wrong with teaching her, but careful who she demonstrates with.
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
rklew64 Inner circle 1265 Posts |
Let me put this way, don't set her up.
|
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Interesting story. (to me, anyway)
The local magic club was hosting its semi-annual “Family Magic Night”, and several of us were doing walk-around to keep the crowds from getting bored before the doors opened. My son, now 10, was trying out a fairly simple “penetration” effect using colorful springy loops. This was his first outing for complete strangers. He’d been practicing for weeks, and could do it very well. Tonight though, on his second showing, something didn’t work and the loops tangled. He was embarrassed, sure, and there really wasn’t any recovery possible. I was “melting glass” about 10 feet away and couldn’t help him. He disappeared around the corner of the building, and by the time I was done with my effect, he had reappeared. His face was red, and I could tell that it bothered him, but he went up to the next crowd and “did his thing” perfectly, and for the next 20 minutes or so (until they opened the doors), no more hiccups. Inside he had a group of younger kids following him around asking “Show me! Show me!” He was really having a great time. Driving home after the event, we were talking about his flub. He explained that, yes, it was embarrassing, but he’d gone out of sight to figure out what had gone wrong. When he got that settled, he was right back out there performing again. This was, I think, the perfect outcome. Kids mature at different rates, and one ego may be stronger or weaker than another. As a parent especially, you should be able to tell just what your child can manage. The physical ability may jump ahead of the mental or emotional control, and (IMO) a parent’s first responsibility is to protect that sense of self-worth until s/he develops their own mechanisms for handling the world. Teach your daughter anything she’s comfortable learning without becoming frustrated, but you be her special audience of one for the time being. When it’s appropriate, bring in Mom, then a favorite aunt or uncle. Make it fun and keep her safe, and you’ll have a wonderful magical apprentice in no time!
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
ralphs007 Inner circle 1087 Posts |
Sponge bunnies would be a good start.
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him".
James D. Miles |
close_up_act Special user Idaho Falls 773 Posts |
Thanks for all your input... she's having a lot of fun doing the gimmicky stuff, I think I'll show her 1 coin move but explain to her that she can't show anyone yet, I'm going to try to teach her that 1 move/trick isn't magic, that you have to build on it...
Junior
J Rodriguez
|
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
I would definately steer the child in the slight of hand direction. It will instill values of the purity of magic instead of how a lot start as teen using gaffs - living the easier softer way. Having some knowledge of SOH alone woll build a great foundation, actually learning some at that age ----- priceless. I say go for it!
Cancer Sux - It is time to find a Cure
Don't spend so much time trying not to die that you forget how to live - H's wife to H on CSI Miami (paraphrased). |
ablanathanalba Loyal user Can't really boast with only 288 Posts |
My six-year-old is showing interest as well. I'm going to have to stay a step ahead of her!
|
george1953 Inner circle Mallorca (Spain) 5943 Posts |
Oh no, a six year old thet can do sleights better than me, I give up !!!
By failing to prepare, we are preparing to fail.
|
close_up_act Special user Idaho Falls 773 Posts |
Would dime & penny be considered slieght of hand? it just crossed my mind to teach her dime and penny combined with a false xfer (finger palm) so she can give the penny away...
Junior
J Rodriguez
|
Phil Thomas Inner circle Newark, Ohio 1117 Posts |
I taught my 6 year old step daughter the French Drop and she can do it FLAWLESSLY. I watched her sitting there practicing night after night. Then she actually showed me. It looked really good. Her eyes follow every move and everything. Kids that age can do it...they just have to have the desire. But I wouldn't try anything like the classic palm or shuttle pass just yet though.
"If we lose the sense of the mysterious, life is no more than a snuffed out candle."
Albert Einstein |
David Fillary Special user 662 Posts |
I learnt a thimble vanish and Down's palm at about that age... that's right, Down's palm! I only learnt classic palm at age 19!
I never performed on anyone though; I just learnt it from a Jeff McBride video my Dad had, and only performed it to him. So I agree with Rackley - only perform to family, not friends. I got enough enjoyment at that age from doing magic in the mirror; the french drop looks deceptive in the mirror so I think she'll enjoy it Edit: actually, thinking about it, I may not have been that young. I can't remember when I actually learnt it. But it was definitely early junior school. |
lambretta1963 New user 32 Posts |
My 7 year old niece had often asked me to teach her stuff. She has a very nice french drop and has started to handle cards very well. She keeps nagging me to teach her Twisted Sisters ! I'm inclined to teach her little things to keep her interested but would love her to enjoy magic rather than just wanting to know how it is done. I hope that makes sense.
|
rklew64 Inner circle 1265 Posts |
Consider teaching the muscle pass and for off practice days have her learn the himber pass. Both hands of course.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Sleight of Hand for a 6yr old??? too soon??? (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |