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Q: I'm a beginner in magic (about 6 months). What would you say a beginner like me should start with?
I've been in magic for almost 20 years now. I think I only really got into magic in the past 6 years. When I begun it was mostly because I was interested in the various methods used at controlling cards. I played cards professionally for a few years and did a lot of things I wasn't too proud of. But nevertheless, it taught me a lot of stuff that I wouldn't normally have picked up in the ordinary world of magic.
I can point you in the right direction if you're really into learning the mechanics in card work, but I don't do flourishy stuff - I find it much akin to juggling (probably more profitable to just juggle) and I avoid it unless it's useful or necessary in the context of an effect. If you're just starting out in magic, it also depends on what you're interested in: are you going for a general education (so to speak) or do you want to specialise in a particular area only? Personally, I specialise only in the work of cards and only branched out a little after I have reached a level of competence that I'm rather comfortable with. My forte is still primarily cards, but I do dabble in a few other areas though the people who employ me are usually only interested in my gambling work.
Trouble with magic today is that there is SO MUCH material out there - and every one of them claims to be the answer to the magician's dream. A new entrant to this whirlpool of wonder is easily awed; usually intimidated, confused and even lost. The instinctive response is simply to buy whatever you can get afford - sometimes blindly (and yes - stupidly). We've all been there; done that.
However, the good news is, there's always the rock solid material that will NEVER let you down. And whether you plan to be a generalist or specialist, the following are still basic required reading:
Mark Wilson's complete course in Magic
Probably the most comprehensive tome covering all the basics of magic: from close up to stage illusions, this is a MUST READ for any magician in my humble opinion. Even if you're specialising in one field, it pays to know about other genres of magic (whether you do it or not is not important, but knowing how the other genres work do give you that extra edge and you won't get blind sided by a particular cross-genre method).
The Royal Road to Card Magic
Another MUST read book; simply for the sheer volume of knowledge it contains in cardistry alone. It will take most magicians from basic card work all the way to early intermediate. Too many magicians dismiss this book as 'hard to read' or 'out dated'. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many of today's so-called 'modern' effects in card magic are simply rehashes from effects in this book. Knowing the stuff here will save you TONS of money and help you from being 'scammed' by a truly muddy magic market.
I don't usually recommend DVDs as they provide you with less material for your buck. Books also provide you with an inside look at the workings and the theories of magic, providing you with insight into the construction of effects. DVDs don't give you that. Finally, AVOID learning anything from Youtube. Most of the time, the person teaching the move isn't even clear about the true nature of the move and they teach it poorly or provide the incorrect handling. I've had to correct many a young magician at local gatherings who have learnt something they thought was correct from youtube only to find that they've been practicing a move that's been 'butchered' to death by the person teaching it.
Your practice time is precious - learn everything from the SOURCE. That way you don't get second-hand or third-hand instruction which will usually (more often than not) lead to third rate handling. Get it right the FIRST time or you will have a VERY difficult time UNLEARNING what you have learnt and RE-LEARNING it the right way.
Of course, I have no idea how old you are, and the context in which you're learning your magic. Age matters - somebody who is young and still developing will tend to have difficulty performing some effects that require a level of physical maturity. Likewise, somebody who is in his late thirties might struggle with a more dexterous sleight if he is just starting out and would need the proper physical conditioning before he can achieve what he had set out to learn.
I hope the general information above helps you along your journey to a world of entertainment - for yourself and your audience. And you're free to drop me a message anytime. |
