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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
I have a question for Card College users but others' comments are welcome since my dilemma may apply to other beginner sources as well. My issue is based on the fact that it is very slow going through Card College Vol. 3 (having finished Vols 1-2) because the sleights have become much more difficult, although quite interesting. However, at this pace I will not finish the next volume, Vol. 4, until some time in mid-late 2020. If Card College Vol. 3 had more tricks to learn that would partially ease my dilemma, but it is not until Vol. 5 that more tricks/routines are presented. Maybe I am impatient, but I would like to concentrate on developing a small repertoire of tricks and learn the work of others: Vernon, Dingle, Jennings, Ortiz, and others.
Here is my question: Is it better to use Card College as a series of textbooks for methodically learning each chapter, OR, is it preferable at this point to jump into other books by, e.g., Vernon, Dingle, Jennings and the like, in order to learn tricks and develop a routine, and use Card College more as a reference library for consulting when I come across a sleight or move that I do not know? Are there any obvious pros and cons? Is it six of one, a half dozen of the other?
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
I'm for the second one...
If you really have gone and become proficient with all or even just almost all the sleights in the first two volumes, you are way better than many out there! At this point, why shouldn't you look around for tricks/routines you particularely like and work on them, referring to Card College to learn the sleights you need at that moment? Having a trick in mind is a very good way to get you learn and practise a new technique. Actually in CC 5 there are many good quality items that don't require much more than what you've learnt so far .. I'm sure this was the same intention Giobbi had when he wrote volumes 3 and 4. That's why there are less tricks. You can find those somewhere else. Mark |
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
Me again ...
I forgot to add that what I've just written is exactly the path I have followed and still am following. Mark |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Excellent first-hand perspective. I have been leaning toward this approach, however I will finish volume 3 since I hate leaving things unfinished. In some books I've looked at, e.g. Bro. John Hamman (written by Richard Kaufman) one can find ample instructions relating to a pertinent sleight or move so it is not as if the learning curve stops going upward. This may be the way I'll go as I think I would progress a bit faster. Thanks.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
MGordonB Loyal user Toronto, Canada 279 Posts |
Great topic
I have always found RRTCM a challenge. I have recently purchased CC 1 and 2 and have found it much easier. The text and pictures are much easier to follow. Part of the challenge - for me at least - has been trying to learn a sleight or move outside the context of a trick. When I was first starting, my uncle taught me the Emsley Count, telling me that it was one of the most important moves (His opinion, not necessarily others) and I learned to do it quite well. But it was like, so what do I do with it. After a while I learned a few tricks with the EC and now use it fairly regularly. For me, my fastest progress in learning card magic has been through Michael Ammar’s DVD series Easy to Master Card Miracles. I’ve learned several tricks along with the required moves. And the more moves I learned the more tricks I’ve been able to pick up. I use CC and other books like it mostly as references on slieghts and moves. I wish there was a CC equivent for coins |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
This sounds like another vote for using Card College, at this point in my travels, more as a reference library. Thanks for your input.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
kShepher Elite user Washington, DC 470 Posts |
Roberto Giobbi himself said that if you master everything in CC Vol 1 and 2 you will be better than 85% of the magicians out there. Personally, I went through the first two volumes cover to cover, then branched out to other works, especially Harry. You start to get a lot of usable material that way. I read the other three volumes when the mood strikes, and when I pick one of them up I never regret it. They are outstanding, but also much denser and more advanced.
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The Burnaby Kid Inner circle St. John's, Canada 3158 Posts |
If the goal is to be out there performing, then the stuff from Card College 1 and 2 is more than enough to work with. You could make a professional career for yourself doing nothing more than a Card In Hand, the Ambitious Card and Homing Card Plus. At that point, not knowing the stuff in CC 3 and onwards would be a minor problem compared to not knowing a coin or rope trick.
JACK, the Jolly Almanac of Card Knavery, a free card magic resource for beginners.
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 18, 2019, kShepher wrote: Thank you for confirming what seems to be my new approach. Also, I never meant to suggest that I "mastered" the content of volumes 1/2. In fact, going through Card College cover to cover causes me to forget previous chapters b/c there is not enough material to keep their memories alive, if you know what I mean. So after CC vol. 3 I will probably move on to survey the larger playing field.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 18, 2019, The Burnaby Kid wrote: Thanks for your reply. Lucky for me my goal is not to perform, but nothing more than as an interested hobbyist. One major reason for this is that I think that I'll never overcome my performance anxiety, as self-image has never been my strong suit in life. If/when I overcome it I will start to attend my local SAM chapter meetings. Also, ropes and cups never really interested me although I have seen some exceptional routines with cups/balls/fruit and whatever else fits under them. I tried coins for a day and I must admit it was just too difficult to even break the surface. (Although at least for once I did not think that my hands were too small). I really have an affinity for cards, and got sucked into card magic by the relatively easy self-working and "preparing-the-deck" type of tricks. I did not expect that the Royal Road would lead to the knuckle-busting sleights I am working on. But they are quite fascinating and I do not want to quit, in spite of my frustration. I love learning and thought maybe it was time to expose myself to the works of the many great artists that people at the Café refer to so often. To do this I will have to put Prof. Giobbi on the reference shelf for now-I hope he will understand
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
kShepher Elite user Washington, DC 470 Posts |
Ted...stick with Vol 3. I did that also cover to cover. (in no way does reading them mean mastering them, btw). That does not mean you can't read something else at the same time...something like one of Harry's books that are chock full of fantastic tricks. Don't put so much pressure on yourself to "get through" a book...then it becomes work and not fun. Card College is a gift...and needs to be read in the proper mindset and mood.
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Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Read my books in "any mood"!!
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
kShepher Elite user Washington, DC 470 Posts |
Ha. He's right...
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kShepher Elite user Washington, DC 470 Posts |
Ted...also...Disk One of Harry's Best Ever series is incredable. I think it is monumental. It lights a fire in you. The rest are also great, but Disk One is off the charts. Plus...it gives you a break from reading.
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 18, 2019, kShepher wrote: You are right on target "k". I am putting way too much pressure on myself and it takes the fun away. There is no way I can "master" all of the material in Vol. 3 of CC, but what is disturbing is that w/o enough tricks to work with I can forget stuff pretty quickly. I guess the only real solution for me is to use Card College more as a reference at this point and move on to other sources. I have several of Harry's books as well as several others just waiting for me to get to them. I also have Harry's Best Ever 4-DVD series. Thanks again for the input.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
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