Always looking for new ways to keep practice interesting, I'm curious about what some of your favorite training tools are.

I currently have one mirror for practicing close-up, but am intending on getting two more and some hinges to make a three-panelled "wraparound" practice mirror. I also use different kinds of cards to practice with--from grimy old bicycles to plastic dollar-store decks. If I can do a flawless DL with a new deck, I want to be able to do the same with a deck from any situation I might encounter. Finally, (or at least till I think of more) I always have a "burner deck" going, for the practice of those effects which involve destroying/maiming the cards. This way I don't feel bad about having a deck with 51 or 47 cards.

I've experimented with video recording, but until recently lacked the setup for it to be efficient. Now, however, with a fairly inexpensive webcam, I should be able to start honing in on those really wonky angles. I envision the video practice will only be for the later stages of readying an effect, while the mirror will remain my go to for immediate feedback.

But probably my favorite practice "tool" is a reading stand, so I can prop up a novel and let my mind wander away from all the repetitions...

My partner Tom practices Guitar as I practice Magic.

The music is very helpful for practice. The lack of lyrics allows me to think my own thoughts but the music puts my mind in creative state that encourages visualization.

I remember in college I used to study math while listening to classical music. My usually poor grades in math JUMPED up.

Find some music you like and try it.

-Mary Mowder

Myself, I prefer the TV on. I try to listen to it while practicing. It provides real world distraction. Incidentally, its really the only time I watch TV

I agree that a webcam is probably gonna work out best in the past, but these days your handy iphone would probably make it a lot more convenient!

I usually watch a couple season of a TV series as I practice, it keeps my emotions engaged.

I just started using a metronome to help with timing and it has helped immensely. I'm still a beginner, so my "smoothness" is not perfect, but the metronome has certainly helped me seem more natural during my performances.

Rosebud, are you using a physical metronome or an app?

A 3 way mirror is great. a good way to improve.

If you are using a metronome, make sure your rhythm is not pointing to the moment of the move. That is to say, don't do the move on the beat. It is harder than you'd think (if you are not thinking about it LOL).

Mary

Great comment about the music Mary! Andre Kole once told me that he liked to listen to classical music when trying to create a new illusion.

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrLAaDCPc3I

The above link is "Classical Music for Studying."