I am an amateur and would classify myself in the category of beginner to intermediate skill. It has been a slow go in developing skill (four kids has a way of slowing things down).
It is easy to be discouraged in this art when one cannot devote as much time to practice and study as one would like. This is magnified by the advertisements of miracle workers with highly edited trailers flooring laymen with "no skills required." These effects might as well have a footnote reading "results may vary."

Fast forward to yesterday at the local library, and I was scouring 793.8 and came across "the Art of Modern Conjuring" by Prof. Henri Garenne (but it actually borrows large portions from Modern Magic by Prof. Hoffmann). The introduction offered a wonderful gem of encouragement that I thought I would relay to any magician that is struggling for results in their magic. This may be a lot of words to say a little, but here is what Prof. Hoffmann said:

"A wizard is not to be made in a day."

I just wanted to share the revelation I had that the slow and steady approach is a fruitful one.
Forgive any babbling I may have typed out.

Cheers,
CM

Hello Mediocre!

Panic not! I started performing (for $$$) at the age of "almost 14" in 1945. For 20 years, I was a part time pro., and then "went" full time, until I retired a few years ago. I'm now 83--and, still learning a few things! (When you're through learning, you're through!)

The old Latin proverb, FESTINA LENTE, says it wesll: MAKE HASTE SLOWLY!

Do not keep learning new tricks. I'm still doing some of the tricks that I started with in '45. --But, I do them a little bit better!

The PERFORMER and his PRESENTATION is much more important than the TRICK, itself!!!

Researching vintage magic books I came upon "The Boy's Book of Conjuring." Then I discovered "The Art of Modern Conjuring" (anon.) not the Garenne book. Those two appear to be the same except for title. Being an occasional collector of antiquarian books, I think I'll pick one of those up. Can anyone verify that "Boy's book" and "Art" are the same?
TIA
Phil

Craig… someone told me that there is no express elevator to the top, you have to take the stairs. It’s all about balance. Sure, get some “self working” effects just to show your family and friends. Do them a lot working on performance and presentation skills. It will also hint at the joy magic can bring others, it’s an amazing gift! At the same time spend the other half of your available magic time to work on pure sleight of hand effects that wil teach you the long term basic skills of the craft. If you like card effects, get “The Royal Road to Card Magic” and work your way through it. It doesn’t really matter how many months or years it takes… these are invaluable tools to have in your arsenal. The same with classic sleight of hand effects. Cups & Balls, Rope work, sponge balls, Coin sleights, etc. If you really like coins, the best encyclopedic one is probably “Coin Magic” by J.B. Bobo. It’s not written in a course style format like Royal Road. It will give you hundreds of options for everything and one of the most important book to have in your library. Most of all, realize that thre are times to use automatic effects along with pure sleight of hand work. They are both working solutions that negate each other. Keep up the great work!!