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xandermagic New user Denmark 31 Posts |
I am a 31-year-old man who practices magic as a hobby.
I have some props to do some effects. The props I have and practice on are Flite by steve thomsen Floating bill Biddle Trick Sponge Balls I like to perform for family and friends. For the flite ring flight I practice the fren *ch drop to make the ring disappear but maybe the tak*e vannish would be a better move. Im very bad with cards so doing the biddle trick is for me a bit complicated but I learn some basic sleights to perform it wich is good. I just wanted to share some of the things I do. |
Deckstacker Elite user Sunny SoCal 442 Posts |
You say that you are "very bad with cards," and at a full half-century older than you, I am not very good at performing sleights, either. Actually I was never very good when I was your age--just too lazy to do the required practice I guess.
I therefore would suggest that you might wish to try your hand at a couple of so-called "self-working" effects that rely more on what I would consider "procedure" rather than manual dexterity. My latest favorite is Benjamin Earl's 'Red Herring,' which your being from Denmark made me think of--minus the curry sauce, of course! (smile) But there are lots of other really good self-workers out there for you to play with. --Have fun!
Never try to teach a pig how to sing. You will waste your time, and it annoys the pig.
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mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
I agree with Deckstacker's reply.
Since you said you're not able (at least for the moment) to perform sleights with the due precision, makes me, as well, suggest you to put your hands on a few self-working card tricks books: I think one of the best choices would be Roberto Giobbi's Card College Light, Lighter & Lightest series of books. "Red Herring" is a wonderful trick, I know because I perform it, but it is just ONE trick. And it needs a good presentation. In books (any book) you find at least a few dozen of tricks to pick from. Mark |
Deckstacker Elite user Sunny SoCal 442 Posts |
I likewise completely agree with mlippo's reply. "Self-Working Card Tricks" by Karl Fulves is another great choice. But if I may just give one more plug for Earl's 'Red Herring,' because all the shuffling etc. takes place in the spectator's hands, you can lean on your your own confessed lack of card-handling skills as the reason you choose to perform it--a nice subtlety that you can play up and make work for you.
Never try to teach a pig how to sing. You will waste your time, and it annoys the pig.
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xandermagic New user Denmark 31 Posts |
Thank you so much for both of your sweet replies and for taking the time to reply. Now I know where to look.
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wulfiesmith Inner circle Beverley, UK 1339 Posts |
Xandermagic ...
get yourself to: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_q......d+tricks enjoy the experience ... and welcome WulfieSmith |
Loudini313 New user 3 Posts |
Hey there,
I am at the exact position like you - in age and “sleight” of hand. What I can highly recommend, is to learn an easy stack like the Si Stebbins. So I don't need a lot of moves, but there a still wonders possible to create. Best Luke |
kShepher Elite user Washington, DC 470 Posts |
For sleightless card magic I highly recommend John Bannon's Destination Zero, and Giobbi's three volume "Light" series. Both are world class card magic without sleights.
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jared23m New user 61 Posts |
When it comes to the difficulties with learning sleights, I second the recommendations of self-working tricks and stacks. Another thing to consider is buying gimmicks that fit your particular style. They don't have to scream "gimmick." Not like one of those tennis racket looking velvet bags that silks come out of (I hope I'm not offending anyone). But there are many tested, workable gimmicks out there that actually look like normal objects and I definitely recommend using them to your advantage.
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 604 Posts |
It is unclear why you are bad with cards. Perhaps your sources of instruction were inadequate in not giving detailed instruction or enough practice to improve your skill. If so, a beginner in cards can do no better than Roberto Giobbi's Card College, volumes 1 and 2. Alternatively, Harry Lorayne's Close Up Card Magic provides tricks that employ some sleights which are taught. However, most of the material therein does not require difficult sleights. Finally, in reality, sleight of hand requires practice, practice and more practice. Good luck.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
Chaikuni New user 76 Posts |
You can always get better! I've been doing magic for as long as I can remember. I am also 31. There was a moment around high school where I got embarrassed and quit doing it because I was the "magic kid". But every Christmas time, I find myself falling back into it.
I initially got into cardistry, unique shuffles and off XCM and can still do it from muscle memory. Practice! |
Bob G Inner circle 2983 Posts |
For sleights, Harry Lorayne's The Magic Book is a nice complement to Card College, and it's at a beginners level, unlike his Close Up Card Magic. (Sorry, Teddy. ) Also, for books that use some sleights, but a minimal number of relatively easy ones, try Bob Longe's books. I especially like his "101 Amazing Card Tricks."
Bob |
umutK New user 32 Posts |
You can search Daryl's work on cards. There are tons of things you can learn
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Mik-Kado New user Antwerp, Belgium 36 Posts |
I'm also in a kind of a "re-beginner" state...
In the past I performed close-up magic for small parties, weddings, etc... I ended up doing sidewalk performing and busking, what I find the most rewarding type of magic (but this is for everyone different ofcourse). After I changed to my current job as a busdriver, I quit all of my magic activities due to lack of time and variable working hours. Moreover, 2 daughters came into our live and I didn't get any more time... My last performances as a busker were around 2017 or so. After then I never performed any magic anymore... So now it feels like starting over again... But I am determined: this year I want to get back out there as a streetperformer! I still have all my props, all my stuff, and my streetshow is still in my mind. But it will take a lot of courage to go out and stand there again....
Live your most beautiful life.
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TeddyBoy Special user New York, NY 604 Posts |
I too am a hobbyist who loves learning sleight of hand. However, stage fright keeps me from performing. A big problem I find is that because I do not perform I do not know if I am any good at what I learn. This causes me to focus on card magic as if it were an academic subject in school, rather than a performance art. This makes me feel like I need to know "everything," as if I were to be tested. Of course, most of us cannot know everything, therefore it is quite frustrating. If you can, keep performing so as to know where you stand with respect to this art. One day I hope to overcome my fear of embarrassing myself but at 73 it is unlikely.
So many sleights...so little time.
"Slow...deliberate...natural." Bill Tarr Cheers, Teddy |
deucegalamagic New user 19 Posts |
Quote:
On May 26, 2024, TeddyBoy wrote: TeddyBoy. If you're open to it, I'd love to help you change this. Whether 73 or 17, it's always right now. The amount of happiness your spectators will feel by your performance will far outweigh any temporary, hardly felt "pain" you may experience from falling short. / Buck |
deucegalamagic New user 19 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 19, 2023, xandermagic wrote: Hey Xander, if you're interested in doing some really entertaining magic without doing a single sleight, let me know and I'll share a 3 phase routine with you that I created called Magic Bullets Vol 1. There's zero sleight of hand, no pre-arranged setups, and can be done with any deck even if it's missing cards! Let me know if you're interested. / Buck Deuce Gala Magic |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3138 Posts |
Easy to Master Card Miracles by Michael Ammar -- Nuff said!!!
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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stenlis New user 4 Posts |
You may not be as bad with cards as your audience may lead you to believe. I realized this when I had spectators call me out on occasions when I was NOT doing a sleigh of hands. Happenes in my raising card routine because I exclaim "but what if we lose your card in the middle of the pack?" as I am actually doing just that, sticking the card into the pack. Ocassionally somebody will reply "that's not my card you are putting in there!" It's not that my sleigh of hand is poor, it's spectators expecting a sleigh of hand at this part of the trick.
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Russo Inner circle So.California / Centl.Florida / retired Florida 1213 Posts |
I had a card effect where a card is picked (3 of hearts ,forced), and put back in the deck all face down - turning deck over, asked Vol. what card is it - they would always point to the wrong one - then I'd put the card on their palm - hand together , turning over - open hand and it read on the back of the card they pointed to, "you Lie -you picked 3 of hearts". Then I'd say "you didn't tell the truth, now have to pay the consequences'. Then I lifted a banner, to show my'Head Chopper' and on we went mmmm
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