Chances are it does and you don't even realize it.

Don’t feel bad, mine used to suck, too. But it’s not you, really. It’s the way we were all taught. A quick search of the internets proves that we have all been taught to pimp slap this poor little move like it owes us money.

Check out the 7 Deadly Sins of Performing the French Drop: http://salinasmagic.blogspot.com/2014/02......cks.html

Very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing that and for hosting this great coin blog.

If you haven't read it yet, Go there now and check it out.

Thanks Ben!!
We are always learning.
Jim

Lawrence O. has a fantastic tutorial on Le Tourniquette (proper name for the French Drop according to him) on his Facebook page. With lots of photos for illustration. Very interesting and very different from the French Drop which we have all thought we knew.

Thank you.

Jim

Great piece, Ben…Well thought out and demonstrated. Good stuff on that new blog!

"The day we stop improving is the day we begin to get worse." Or something like that…

Perfect technic..

Thanks Ben. I'm enjoying the blog.

Now a somewhat related question:

Should we save the "sucky" technique for use with a spider vanish?

Everytime I look at this blog there is more interesting stuff about coin closeup: tips, tricks, discussion and more and more excellent video.

I'm really starting to like "Ben's Place."

Chuck

Indigo,

Good question! Yes, in the case of the Spider Grip vanish it's supposed to be a feint. So we're over-acting to draw suspicion towards the odd move.
It sort of like when you make an exaggerated throwing motion to fool your dog into thinking you threw the ball. Not to say that your audiences are dogs, or that the Spider Grip vanish would fool your dog.

:) Ben S

I believe as a magician, I should suck at everything I do so expectations are never too high.

I was actually very surprised that such a simple sleight had so many elements to consider. Makes me wonder what else I may be doing wrong.

Probably better to get the basic acting working for audiences before irritating then with overt sting setups. Aside from Hamlet's advice about doing things poorly, off tempo or making the judicious grieve one risks informing the audience and cueing them to look just where you don't wish during later moments.

Definitely Jonathan! The feint is only a feint if the audience is familiar with the genuine action.

Thanks Ben for the tips!

I agree with your advice, however, before you drop your left hand, I would add to pause a beat so the spectator sees the empty space that the coin previously occupied. It doesn't need to be exaggerated or a ridiculous amount of time, just a beat so the spec gets the mental image of the empty space that the coin previously occupied. It is subtle, but important.

Dan

Great point, Dan!

Interesting point.

Ben, nice commentary.

I agree with you on the first four, and on number 7. In fact, I think I am already doing them. (I also agree with Dan Watkins -- love your stuff, Dan! -- about waiting a beat before dropping the left.)

I learned something from number 6. I will adopt an adjustment move; great thinking!

What was number 5?

Hahahaha! I hadn't noticed that! Thanks Joe!

Thanks for the great advice on the French Drop.

Ben, this has shown me how important it is to never underestimate a move, particularly something as basic as the French Drop. This has to be one of the best tips I've heard in some time.

Thanks!