Who here is self taught (books, tapes, etc), and who has been taught one-on-one, or in a class situation?

What were your journeys?

There is also "mentoring" as a learning option - not the the same as teaching/instructing. Details later after others chime in.

In the late 40's early 50's I was an welfare child - Uncle had a book called "Fun For Boys" - in it was a section about Magic, and one on Ventriloquism - (I just receive a copy on line -1st one disappeared ). So did shows for a couple of $$ -to help Mom and sis. After a Lady's club gave me $10. for a small gig when I was 14. (now 85, 75 in Magic/Vent performing for $250. Up -now retired).. Most learning was self taught, Books from the Library - trial and error. NO TV to see Magicians - Must have been successful, Magic/Vent. was always an Ad-Vocation (per advise from State Welfare Dept, ha ha ha ) etc. So, save gig $$. And now We're Debt free and bought home for cash, retired in Florida. How ?, Often made more gig $$, per a week than Job (which paid for for Dr.- Health, vacations, retirement $$ etc. 'You Know', for self and Family -including Wonderful Wife and 2 great Kids) and so saved gig $$- AHHHHHHHHHHHH 'Life Story'- LOL see profile <> Ralph ROUSSEAU < (russo)

Right now I all learning on my own from Mark Wilson’s complete course in magic book. I am also watching Jason Maher on YouTube. He does some tutorial videos that are really cool. Some of it is very advanced but it is still fun to watch

Mostly self taught from books and VHS tapes way back when and of course Dvd's. Joined the SAM, went to meetings, sessioned with other enthusiasts and went to many lectures offered by Pros. Hung out at my
local magic shop every Wednesday evening for years.. Worth every second of my time and efforts.
Magic has been a blessing in so many ways.

In his book, The Magic of Michael Ammar, Mr. Ammar has an entire chapter on Magic practice as "training."

Great Book... best teaching on the TT Bill switch I might add.

After high school, I got a job with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. in the mailroom. One of the agents was showing a card trick. I asked him about it and he steered me to Al's Magic Shop, which was right down the street. I went in and it became my weekend place to go. Al told me about a magician, Winton Carroll, who held a magic class at one of the universities around the area. I joined up and that was my beginning. I've done stuff off and on for years, especially when I joined the military. Now that I have retired from working, I have more time to fully invest as a hobby.

I started in the late 1980s when I was 8 or 9. My grandfather was a local magician in the New Bedford, MA area. He showed me my first trick and has been hooked since. Had a few years where I did not do anything, but I have been in and out of magic since I was 8 or 9. For the most part, I have been self-taught through books and videos. Similar to magic501, I have a full-time job, so performing is not a viable option for me. As a disabled veteran, I find sleight-of-hand beneficial to maintaining my dexterity; or what dexterity I have left. For me, this is a therapeutic method that I use. Similar to David Copperfield's Project Magic, just without the use or assistance from others.