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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Can anyone tell me which of the two books below gives the most direct and practical information regarding performing magic? Highly theoretical discussions like that offered in Tommy Wonders Book of Wonders, Book 1, are difficult for me to appreciate; perhaps because I have no performance experience.
Juan Tamariz's Five Point of Magic or Eugene Burger's Mastering the Art of Magic
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
Topper2 Regular user 126 Posts |
A lot of the old books on 'showmanship', which tell you how to present magic and get it across to an audience, concentrate on how to fill a stage or platform and the advice they give is not always relevant to someone performing in a close-up situation for a small group. In today's world the latter is much more important and that is where Tamaiz's book the Five Points of Magic is so useful, it offers advice on how to put your tricks over to best advantage in that type of environment. I wouldn't describe the book as being highly theoretical but rather as being of practical use.
I've never read the Burger book so I'll pass on that. |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Thanks Topper2. You confirmed my suspicion that these performance-oriented books are geared more toward stage magic, and less to the close-up stuff that I gravitate to. It turns out I also am getting the Burger book as I am under the impression that he is often touted as an excellent close-up cardician. I guess we will see. Thanks again.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
Lord Anacho Regular user Kessel-Lo, Belgium 157 Posts |
Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz
"The secret impresses no one. The trick you use it for is everything" (Alfred Borden in The Prestige)
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ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Burger is newbe friendly.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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Ravenspur Regular user Granby, MA 167 Posts |
I can't speak on the books, Teddy, but I have to say performance has been essential in my learning, limited both my practice and performing experience is.
As an example, I did a book test with my students. My approach with mental magic has been to give the impression that I could read people's responses. Not mindreading per se, more like reading poker tells. Anyway, I tell my students that I've had these two books and have been browsing them while I watch TV and have started to remember some of the words. My participant chooses between two gaffed books and then chooses a page. I then go through the act of recalling the first and last word on the page they chose, using both my memory and some non-verbal cues they "give off." This is working fine with the participant, but one of my students (it's always a jock) looks up on the internet and finds out what a book test is. Now, I never mentioned book test, but you know the internet. He doesn't read what he finds out loud, but the damage is done. Previously, I had done a card trick where I read their faces that you can't call on certain kids. The trick is simple: a cross cut force and the rest is presentation. That time, a kid--another jock--messes around with the cards when I look away for a minute. As a teacher, I often call on these kids to keep their attention, but they suck as magic volunteers. Beyond my lack of skill, my point is that I couldn't learn that I needed to change my patter approach and who to use as a participant without performing. I don't think I could learn this from a book. Now I've read and heard about choosing the right type of person to volunteer, but I couldn't have learned who the type was in my audience without performing. (I don't know if this is helpful, but it's only two cent, mine that is). |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Mark, thanks for conveying your experience. I figured that a book only takes me so far as to how to perform. However, due to personal circumstances, it is the best I can do right now. However, I wonder how you dealt with such frustrating students! That in itself requires an admirable level of confidence and composure.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
Ravenspur Regular user Granby, MA 167 Posts |
I hope your circumstances improve, my friend.
Today, I did my book test for three other classes and it went all write. I cut down on the explanations and wrote the words on a piece of paper and then gave to the volunteers. It was cute. They wanted me to autograph the paper. I also had some major distractions: 1) first block: a bird flew into the room while I was teaching, and 2) third block a kid had a grand mal seizure when he was in the bathroom vaping; the bathroom is across the hall from my room; the kid who shared the Juul was in my class. First responders, police calling my student out, at least I had magic. |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
What a day!
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
TomB Veteran user Michigan, USA 330 Posts |
Tommy Wonder also has a video on his two books. Max Maven asks the "dumb questions" and Tommy explains. It might be easier to watch the dvd then read the book, where Tommy is showing and explaining. The main theme I got out of it was make it look natural. He gives many examples in the video on making things look natural. He also would spend a ton of effort to make it look natural (sometimes effort is found on accident). This extra effort in my opinion is what makes him one of the best.
He also enjoys conflict. Any fan of Fitzkee knows that conflict adds an extra dimension. So yeah, put down the Tommy books, and watch the videos! Then, the books will make better sense as a reference point. |
TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
Does Tommy Wonder do mainly close-up, or is he a stage illusionist?
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
Russo Inner circle So.California / Centl.Florida / retired Florida 1167 Posts |
I found an old book (1965) by Bill Severn -"Magic Shows you can give"-Step by step routines - scripts .etc.. Also,(1984) by David Ginn -"Magic and Monsters,for kids I love" If they would help?/
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kent New user Victoria,BC 44 Posts |
I have several of Burger's books and find them very "readable". And yes, he tends to focus more on close up and storytelling magic.
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weirdwizardx Veteran user 389 Posts |
I havent read EB yet.
But you get my strongest reommendation on Five points in magic and Juan Tamariz work. Five points in magic focuses on how to connect with your audience, misdirection, timing, giving you purely practical advice, buy it, read it, then do a second read thinking on how to apply the principles and techniques to your material, it will improve it massively. Just my toughts, Cristóbal |
ringmaster Inner circle Memphis, Down in Dixie 1974 Posts |
Buy them both and get the best of both worlds.
One of the last living 10-in-one performers. I wanted to be in show business the worst way, and that was it.
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 595 Posts |
That's exactly what I decided to do. Thanks.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
FlightRisk Loyal user North Carolina 294 Posts |
Ted, Tommy was both and he was amazing. His 2 volume set, The Books of Wonder are well regarded.
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charliemartin Special user Rapid City, SD 779 Posts |
Ken Weber's Maximum Entertainment is the book you need to be a better performer.
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