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Censormyuser New user 3 Posts |
I’m not sure if I’m the only one who finds this but I have found great difficulty in learning from books (I’m currently reading the royal road to card magic) but I just don’t seem to be able to concentrate on it or visualise what is I am supposed to be doing. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on better ways to approach learning via reading (I often try to find YouTube videos to watch along side reading to be a visual aid, but often don’t find a video detailed enough)
Many thanks, Connor |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
You are not alone. I find card tricks extremely dry on paper and hard to learn. That said, there are other kinds of magic. I learn a lot from good descriptions for other sorts of magic.
I don’t find YouTube to be as educational as a good dvd. And many DVDs are not very helpful. I pay attention to thoughtful reviews. I really appreciate finding positive and negative reviews for the same product. Also, for some of the classic or standard references, performers who know the material have put together sets that cover all or most of the content. This has been done for Royal Road, Bobo, and Dan Harlan has been working his way through Tarbell for a truly impressive time. I have found that once I had a few basic tricks learned it becomes easier to learn more from a book. You will have a basic understanding that makes further education easier to build on. Patrick |
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
If you have a hyperactive or attention deficit issue, card magic by reading can be extremely challenging. I know this because I am somewhat afflicted and the amount of energy it takes to read card manipulation directions is considerable. Plus I'm an old guy. You may have to tailor your expectations in that you cannot progress too quickly.
Also, you may consider two books by Harry Lorayne- The Magic Book and/or Close-up Card Magic. Harry writes in a more conversational manner rather than textbook fashion. However, concentrating on manipulation instructions is unavoidable. Others often tout the teaching of Michael Ammar's DVDs, although I do not have personal experience. Good luck.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Ya' gotta' start reading the good stuff!
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Harry, the problem is that the OP finds it difficult getting through intricate written instructions. How can any book, even yours, teach card manipulation without specific concise instructions of the type that the OP, and myself, have difficulties wading through? My comments were not in any way meant as criticisms of your books. Heck, within the last 2 weeks I purchased Vol. 2 of your Classic Collection. (In a thread you mentioned that volume 2 was your favorite).
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
The first card magic book that I really enjoyed reading was The Paper Engine by Aaron Fisher. I had read RRTCM before that, and studied the heck out of it for 8 months - but it's an older book and the writing is a bit wonky. Aaron's writing, I find, is very accessible.
But learning from books is a skill. No matter how good the writing is, the student still needs to learn how to learn a physical skill from a text source. For me that involves reading over the method a couple times, imagining how it will play out in reality. Then, after I'm passingly familiar with the steps, I pick up the cards and work through the method one step at a time until it all makes sense and flows. It does take focus and work, but that's what it takes to get good at this stuff.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
I'd love to hear more about the Paper Engine as I have it, but have not yet fit it into my learning process. I'm glad to hear it was a good read.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 21, 2018, TeddyBoy wrote: He teaches several sleights, as well as several routines. There are sections at the end of chapter that are essays - mostly anecdote and explanations of his thinking regarding sleight of hand. Aaron has a big emphasis on removing tension from sleight of hand which has always helped me. I highly recommend his book.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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Mr. Woolery Inner circle Fairbanks, AK 2149 Posts |
If you want to learn from a book, one thing you can do, as I am with a technique I am finding much simpler to do than to remember, is to go through the mechanics of the trick with cards in hand. Do the moves as slowly as needed. Do them again, still looking at the pictures at least 5 times. Try it without the book. If you do it right, do it a dozen times or so. Then look at the book again and make sure you aren't missing something. When learning a new skill, repetition is the key to memory and smoothness. But it isn't all that easy.
-Patrick |
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Censormyuser New user 3 Posts |
Thank you to the people who replied, it’s good to know I’m not the only one struggling with this! I think I will continue trying to read and watch videos at the same time. I’ve always wondered if I have difficulty with attention (based on how college went a few years ago, I’m inclined to say that I probably do 😂)
I also can’t belkve the amount of bickering on this thread, we are all here to have fun people eesh. Although I do agree with what has been said, I’m not gonna cause further arguments! P.s one slight I’m finding particularly difficult is the pass, if anyone has any recommendations where to learn this (video preferably) I’d be greatful to see them |
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WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
For the pass - Jason England's 1on1 for the pass on Theory11 and the section on the Two Handed Shift in Erdnase are the sources I found most valuable.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
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critter Inner circle Spokane, WA 2653 Posts |
I have ADHD and use speights for the same purposes that kids use fidget cubes. I have found I understand books better now with proper medication. ADHD isn't actually a deficit of attention. The name is sort of outdated. The hyperfocus can be helpful. Breaking the task into small pieces helps.
I use flashcards for terminology and pick a cue to remind myself to look at them for a few seconds. Never more than three flashcards at a time.
"The fool is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."
~Will Rogers |
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
"When learning a new skill, repetition is the key to memory and smoothness."
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
So true!
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
I don't understand - the main point of my post above - "When learning a new skill, repetition is the key to memory and smoothness" was removed. I quoted that line that someone else had posted and then said that repetition of the wrong things can make you do the wrong things - perfectly! My 80+ years of experience in this area must make you at least think that I just might be right. (Which is what Mindpro meant when he posted "So true!" Which makes no sense now. So why that line was deleted again makes no sense to me. And, why leave the quote? If you're going to delete - DELETE. Makes no sense otherwise.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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Bob G Inner circle 2830 Posts |
Connor,
I know that youtube magic tutorial videos are controversial on the Café, but there are a few channels that do a really good job of teaching card sleights -- going into detail and repeating the handling several times. Perhaps you'd find them easier to learn from than reading. A few of my favorites are 52kards, A Million Card Tricks, Tricklandia, and Complete Deception. Patrick already mentioned some of the dvd's that go along with classic books. Paul Wilson's DVD's for The Royal Road are excellent. Roberto Giobbi has a short e-book that's an intro to card magic. It's well-illustrated and explained, and, if I remember correctly, it includes links to youtube demos. You should be able to find it on his website. Also, Karl Fulves's self-working card magic books are fun and written in a straightforward style that you might find easier to digest. Inexpensive Dover volumes. Gerry Griffin has a really good four-DVD intro to card magic. All the sleights are on the fourth disk. Someone mentioned Michael Ammar. Everything he does is fantastic, but I wouldn't recommend trying to learn tricks and sleights from his easy-to-master card miracles series if you're a beginner. I'm sure the miracles are easy to master once you have some experience and are "late beginner" or "early intermediate," as they say in piano instruction, and even as a beginner you can learn a lot just by watching them. (I guess I'd classify myself as a late beginner, and I'm just beginning to feel that I can tackle some of the tricks.) By the way, the pass is notoriously difficult to learn (I say that from what I've read; I haven't tried it). You might want to wait on that one. Or -- don't wait, but work on simpler sleights, too. Anyway, just some thoughts... Best wishes! Bob |
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Melephin Regular user 103 Posts |
As a beginner you should definitely use books and not video tutorials. Have a deck of cards in your hands, when reading the instructions and try to do it. You understand a lot by just doing it. The advantage learning from a book is, you have to use your brain and figure out a lot of things yourself. While in a video, you can just imitate the movements (wich is also great). But in the beginning it is so important, to figure out a lot yourself - your understanding of the basics will be so much better by working things out using books. Cannot tell enough how important this is... And yes, you have to read the good stuff.
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Suggestion: Purchase one book of mine (the "good stuff") and see if you learn from it. Then, go from there.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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Bob G Inner circle 2830 Posts |
One other thought, Connor (assuming you're still on the Café): there are people who have a special talent in magic, just like some people have a gift for music, math, etc. But leaving those lucky people aside, I venture to guess that most of us have to work *really* hard at magic. What I've found helpful (and others on this thread have intimated this) is that it's *okay* to spend many months, or even years, learning a sleight or a trick -- provided that you enjoy the practice. Just take your time; it isn't a race.
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
And providing that you'll ever use it when performing for laymen!! (As I wrote in THE MAGIC BOOK --- I want to save you the forty years I spent learning/practicing sleights that I NEVER USED.
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
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