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KenRyan Elite user 465 Posts |
In learning some fundamental card-handling techniques I ran into something a bit confusing that I thought I'd point out to others who may also be new and not be aware. The term "waterfall" refers to 2 TOTALLY different things. It was listed in a sticky thread here in the New To Magic forum as the "waterfall shuffle," and one of the things one should learn early on. But when I looked up "waterfall" in Wilson's Complete Course In Magic, the "Waterfall" (which is under Card Flourishes) was a flourish for cascading cards from one hand to another. YouTube shows this as well when you search for "cards waterfall." But as I was going through the Giobbi Card Magic Introduction, the term "waterfall" is used to describe a way (a very common way that most non-magicians already know, including my wife and I) to return the cards to a normal stack after you do a standard riffle shuffle (so cards are interlaced, but not "pushed in" yet) by simply bending the cards up in the middle with your thumbs over the top.
That last version of the "waterfall" is definitely more in the "fundamental" skill arena than the first thing, which is (for me, anyway) extremely difficult, and would NOT be considered a fundamental move. So just be aware that when someone says "waterfall" in reference to card handling, it could mean either of 2 totally different things. Hope that helps someone. Cheers! Ken |
Stanyon Inner circle Landrum, S.C. by way of Chicago 3433 Posts |
To add to the confusion, what you describe from Giobbi is also known as "Bridging" the cards.
FWIW
Stanyon
aka Steve Taylor "Every move a move!" "If you've enjoyed my performance half as much as I've enjoyed performing for you, then you've enjoyed it twice as much as me!" |
KenRyan Elite user 465 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 4, 2014, Stanyon wrote: Interesting. And Bridging actually is a more descriptive term, in my opinion. Ken |
Bill Thompson Elite user Mississippi 422 Posts |
Quote:
On Dec 4, 2014, KenRyan wrote: So when I posted to you earlier you were trying to bridge the cards? I thought you were trying to waterfall them... I don't waterfall, I spring them... I can't get them to waterfall very pretty but I spring them very nicely. Back to the bridge... It can be done in the air or on the table... the table give you more control so learn it there before you try in the air. use your thumbs on top of the bridge to control the cards and keep them together as the fall into place.
"To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment.
Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven." - Chuang Tse |
KenRyan Elite user 465 Posts |
Thanks Bill. And to answer your question - I didn't KNOW what I was asking:-P. Actually, I was asking about the Waterfall/Bridge and not the Waterfall cascade (from hand-to-hand), but that was only because I didn't know any better. Since you mentioned the Spring - What is the difference between that and the Dribble? I've been working on the Dribble for about 5 days and it's finally starting to get close. The cards still don't fall in a uniform way (some turn 90 degrees, some flip over). But pretty comes AFTER actually doing it in my book.
cheers! Ken |
Bill Thompson Elite user Mississippi 422 Posts |
To spring the cards I hold them deep in palm of my hand my fingers are on the short ends Four on top and thumb at the bottom I squeeze the cardswith them bend going toward my palm until the begin to "spring" out into my other hand... I had to practice this a while... over the bed... lots of crads flying all over the place and I got tired of stooping to pick them up. I can do it fairly well now... The hand you catch them in needs to be held with the fingers spread wide in an cuping position to help catch the cards... use your body to help deflect stray cards towards your hand. Start off with your hands about two or three inches apart and work up to greater lengths... Once you get good at it, it looks really nice. When people see you do it they are amazed at your skill... they also come under the impression that you are really good at cards and sleight of hand and can cheat with cards. If you don't want to give this impression don't do it.
I sent you a PM...
"To let understanding stop at what cannot be understood is a high attainment.
Those who cannot do it will be destroyed on the lathe of heaven." - Chuang Tse |
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
Stanyon hit the nail on the head in this thread. The flourish used to finish a standard Tabled Riffle Shuffle is the Bridge and Waterfall, the first half of the move being the Bridge and the second part the Waterfall. The flourish in the Wilson book being referred to I have always known as the Waterfall Flourish. With either one the kanck is to not use excessive force with the cards. Escessive force will result in the cards going out of control.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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