I would like to make contact with anyone who has just started card, coin or thimble manipulation so we can exchange practice notes, methods, mistakes, successes and generally help one another to learn and perfect the techniques. I bought Jeff McBrides The Art of Card Manipulation series 2 weeks ago and vol 1 of World Class Manipulations 1 week ago and haven't stopped practicing since! I would love hear from anyone in a similar situation!

peter

WEll,

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

DJ

DJ

I'm in England.


peter

Where abouts in England? There are many magic societies around, perhaps you should go there for some feedback?

Joining a magic club is a great way to learn and to have others help you along in your magic journey. I would also say try there first.

Kyle

Handmadeinwales, another idea would be to make a small movie with a webcam of your routine and send it to some magicians and ask their advice. If you do, I'll be glad to help you.

Robert

Thanks, Robert, but as a total beginner to manipulation I don't have any routines yet!!
However, I would be happy to show you some movies of my progress so far (don't laugh, though, I've only been at it for two weeks!) and maybe you could look at my technique and stop me from getting into bad habits!. I promise I won't drive you mad with movies but I would certainly welcome some pointers! For example, my snap production needs more 'snap!' I prefer the Bobby Baxter method of the perfect production, ie. no thumb, and depending on atmospheric conditions and dryness/moistness of my hand and condition of the cards, I have the basis of the Cardini single production, on a good day I can backpalm and produce about seven to ten cards! I've just started to have a go at split fans! So there you have it, you help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

peter

Peter:

I would also very much be willing to help you and guide you in your learning of manipulation. Manipulation is a passion of mine and it was the first area of magic I got into over 18 years ago. I would love to review any tapes you have and also give you some helpful tips and advice based on my own expeirences. Feel free to PM me or post your comments and questions here and I will make sure to get back to you.

Tip #1: Always keep your hands warm at all times before a routine. Cold hands slow your muscles and reaction time down and it makes it seem like your doing manips at super slow speed. Keep the hnads warm and wear gloves outside and to a performance if you know your hands may get to cold. It will make a big difference. You can also keep hand warmers on you in your case so that you can warm the hands up faster at a perofrmance if need be. Another tip is to bring a small hand dryer and set it on warm. This is also a good way to get the hands warmed up to room temperature.

Kyle

Peter, I'll be glad to help you. so if, you have tapes or what ever send it to me or to Kyle. I have talked with kyle a few times and I know he is a great guy and a great help.

because (as you say) your a beginner a few tips:

1= don't be shy to show something to us.

2= don't try to practice to long - example / if you practice the back palm to long your hands are going to get tired. if your hands start "hurting" stop.

3= 3 times 10 minutes a day is better then 30 minutes in a row. your hands / body / head needs to get used to this. it's like doing a marathon. you have to get trained.

4= try everything you like. if you try it you will feel if this is ok for you or not. don't judge on opinions try yourself. only you know what feels great for you.

peter, PM me and I send you my email adesse

P.s. important = HAVE FUN!

What are some good resources for card manipulation technique? I have a basic knowledge of manipulation, but don't know where to begin.

Thanks,

Zak,

jeff sheridan dvd's
jeff McBride dvd's

my personal taste is sheridan. his style and grace are beautiful to see.

Oh, thanks Robert, maybe I'll check those dvd's out

What are the best cards to use for manipulations

Depending on your hand size.
for backpalming I use Bee jumbo index pokerzise
for armspread bycicle do fine

That is not an easy question to answer as the real answer is that it depends on the individual.

The best thing you can do is to try as many as you can and through this trial, you will find what cards work best for you and feel right in your hands.

Just make sure no matter what cards you try, that you take the time to brak in the cards the proper way. It is very hard to learn to do card manips when the cards are stiff.

Kyle

*What are the best cards to use for manipulations *

I use the Norm Nielsen deck,i think these are the best.

Neilsen cards are great for certain moves such as the split fan. However, for certain productions, I find it easier to use 'stiffer' card. Bees work for me. These moves include perfect production and tenkai productions. I'm not saying its necessary for everyone, it is necessary for me!

Your best bet is to experiment with both soft and hard cards with different productions and see which work best for you.

What works for one person might not work for you! Remember that.

You will often find that different cards and stiffness work better for certain moves then worked in cards. You will also find out that fans work better with normal cards then they do with the manipulation cards.

With this in mind, I often use body loads and clips in order to steal the correct cards I need for any given sequence.

Experimenting will help you out with this.

Kyle

As you are a total beginner. I would pick up a bridge size deck and a poker size deck there in England. You have some very nice cards over there.

Break the decks in and work on your moves. This will give you strength in your hands and when and if you change to manipulation cards they will be easier.

I ordered a manipulation deck from 'Unique Magic Studio' in London once. Norm Nielsen's are great but you do not need them when you are just starting out.

Fly out to California and I'd be glad to exchange some notes w/ you!