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61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
Hello all, I'm looking to do a routine based around memory improvement by demonstrating a rapid magic square. I would like to be able if possible have a spectator mention a number and quickly fill out the square based on that number.
The ideal method would be something quick, easy, without a lot of mental math or crib notes. I'm interested in the various methods you use and why. I'm a total novice in this area. Thanks
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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alicauchy Veteran user Málaga, Spain 310 Posts |
I read an article in which Jason England teaches a method: you need to memorize a basic square of sum 34 and, if the required sum is greater than 34, then you adapt it by adding some constant(s) obtained by mentally dividing by 4.
It depends on your interpretation of "a lot of mental math". For me, the method above is not that hard, and gives wonderful results (and, yes, needs practice).
So much to do, so little time . . .
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Andy Moss Special user 713 Posts |
I am reminded of an effect by Dr Richard Wiseman called 'The Grid'.
However the spectator would not be able to choose any number. This effect may well not be what you are looking for. BUT if you are not already aquainted with this particular effect then I commend it to you, as it is one of the strongest effects out there which makes use of the adaptable Magic Square. You will be able to find a performance of it on YouTube. |
slowkneenuh Regular user After 5,278+ posts, only credited with 133 Posts |
Without any hesitation, I highly recommend the method taught by Dr. Hans-Christian Solka in his booklet Melencolia sold on Lybrary.com. My favorite and easiest method of the many I tried for any given number with minor restrictions.
That being said, there are several other good methods.
John
"A poor workman always blames his tools" |
Chris Inner circle lybrary.com 1177 Posts |
Since this question comes up often I have a long time ago written an introduction which teaches some simple methods. https://www.lybrary.com/magic-square-effects-a-5.html
Lybrary.com preserving magic one book at a time.
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alicauchy Veteran user Málaga, Spain 310 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 9, 2017, Chris wrote: This is essentially the same approach that I cited from an article by Jason England. An interesting example of simultaneous publication: both were published the same week.
So much to do, so little time . . .
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
My "Flash Squared" would seem to be an ideal fit for your particular requirements; it's in my Mindsights book.
Of course, I will always recommend that you first read the reviews before considering a purchase.
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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Oscar999 Elite user 401 Posts |
I performed a Magic Square today that was well received.
I always just use the methodology from Chuck Hickock's Mentalism Incorporated. It's easy - doesn't take much mental gymnastics and is very impressive. Oscar |
61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
Oscar is there any video of the routine?
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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Jimso New user 75 Posts |
You have some pretty good answers already, but here is a more complete rundown (without exposing any details).
The most common ‘instant’ method is described in the reference Chris provided. Harry Lorayne used it with great success in his memory demonstrations, and many other well known professionals have their own versions. Although it is time-honored, it suffers from a few weaknesses. It is easy for anyone to discover by a search on the internet. It is immediately recognizable to anyone who knows the method. It requires a bit of prior memorization and some mental calculation during performance. (Not much, but any error made in the stress of performance ruins the trick.) The result is not as impressive as it could be. None of those are fatal flaws, but there are more modern methods that avoid them. Most methods require a little bit of mental math before you start filling in the cells. That seems to be unavoidable if you want to produce a magic square with a freely chosen magic sum. (You have to figure out an adjustment that depends on that number.). Also, the result is best if the magic sum is singly even (divisable by two, but not by four), not quite as good if doubly even (divisable by four), and poorest if odd. However, if you are willing to let the freely chosen number be one of the cell values, you can proceed without any calculations and with the certainty that the final result will be optimal. The general approach is to learn a few simple rules that describe a path through the cells, so that you can enter the numbers in consecutive order as fast as you can write them. There is no math other than counting. There are actually several ways to do that. I have a full explanation of many pattern-based methods in my recently published book, but if you just want one method that works this way, you can find good ones in several inexpensive e-books available from lybrary.com. Michael Daniels and Hans Christian Solka have recent ones that I can recommend, or you can go back to earlier ones by Sam Dalal (1993), Lewis Jones (2003), Werner Miller (2011), and Doug Dyment (2013). For a memory demonstration, you might also want to look into Orville Meyer’s 1961 e-book from Lybrary.com entitled "The Amazing Magic Square and Master Memory Demonstration. You can pm me if you want a more direct comparison of the pros and cons of the various options. |
hcs Special user Germany, Magdeburg 506 Posts |
... and for a serious student is the reading of Jimso's two books "Magic Square Methods and TRICKS" and "More Magic Square Methods and TRICKS" necessary!
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Ben Blau Inner circle 1475 Posts |
I no longer perform a magic square routine. I do this instead.
https://youtu.be/mWGMx5Eg-bM I find it has a similar feel, and provides multiple moments of mind reading.
Ben Blau
http://www.benblaumentalism.com |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
I am amazed at the lack of knowledge displayed here! I've taught my Instant Magic Square in a couple of my books - including a "memory" magic square - and hundreds over the years have told me that the best magic square presentation they'd ever seen is on Vol. 4 of my "Best Ever" DVD set. You guys gotta' start reading (and viewing) the good stuff!!!
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
I've just been told that you can see that "piece" of me doing the magic square if you google
"harry lorayne/magic square". [email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Harry Lorayne 1926 - 2023 New York City 8558 Posts |
Or...I've just been told about this post from some years ago...I'm not sure as to whether I'm pleased with it or not, but if you're interested - here it is: (At the end he gives a link to my performance of the square.)
Harry Lorayne is a master showman. Give him a stone, and he will use it to perform something that will get him a standing ovation. That’s how good he is. I wish I had even half of his ability to entertain, but I don’t. So I just watch him in awe as he performs one of the most potentially boring magic in the world, namely, the Magic Square. I sat in disbelief as I watched his video performance. The guy doesn’t make sense. He breaks all the rules in how to be entertaining and yet he goes on and entertains the audience anyway. First, he performs math magic. As you well know numbers are pretty boring stuff. Second, Harry launches into a preamble to explain to the audience what a Magic Square is. My instinct as a performer would tell me not to do that, as a monologue about what you are about to do is a sure-fire formula for creating boredom. Next, when he gets the audience all excited at what he has done, Harry steps on the applause. Actually, he kills the applause by refusing to accept it before he finishes the calculation on the board. I wouldn’t dream of strangling applause. I encourage my audience to applaud. I never forbid them from doing that. But Harry does just that, not once but several times, and yet, he gets a tremendous ovation at the end of his act. Much as I like Harry Lorayne’s presentation, I doubt I can pull it off the way he does it. Here’s the video of Harry’s performance. Enjoy the performance of a master. Stay magical, Leodini
[email]harrylorayne@earthlink.net[/email]
http://www.harrylorayne.com http://www.harryloraynemagic.com |
Oscar999 Elite user 401 Posts |
@61magic ... sorry for getting back so late, didn't expect a question.
I'm not aware of any video of the Magic Square presentation from Mentalism Incorporated. But I can tell you from countless times I've performed it, with only a slight modification to the presentation (but keeping the reveal and methodology intact) that it kills. My presentation begins with this line: The highest functioning people on the planet, understand that they have options. There's always a better way... (and we're off to the races, revealing the MULTITUDE of options that add up to the selected number in the magic square). Oscar |
61magic Special user Sacramento California 775 Posts |
FYI, I went with Harry Lorayne's Mathenatical Wizardry. Wow what a treasure trove of information and ideas. I had no idea there could be this much material available.
My original idea was to use a magic square to demonstrate an "improved memory" or instand IQ, the rapid math ideas are perfect for what I'm doing. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to add this type of material to their act. Thanks Harry this one is a total winner.
Professor J. P. Fawkes
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magic in mind Special user 851 Posts |
I recommend mentalism incorporated for a very easy to do mathematical square.If you want you can have it written down in feint pencil before the show.Requires then simple calculations for the unfilled squares.Only 4....... I like Derren browns presentation,he did on his very first tour.Which he asked a spectator to think of a number and write down on a clipboard.He asked the rest of the audience to think of a number.He went and completed the square randomly pointing I think someone over here thought of 19 etc.Turning to the spectator with clipboard he pointed at a number but here is yours sir....
Of course it wasn't.A bit of swearing then Derren asks what number the chap had wrote down.Looking at the board he swears again and says you won't believe this.Then goes into the reveal.As if he'd done it subconsciously...I've done folk love it. |
Papa Legba Special user home-an unremarkable spiral arm of an insignificant galaxy 750 Posts |
You can do the Harry Lorrayne version without the memory work by using a slate. The usually remembered starting numbers have been pencilled in enabling the performer to see them whilst remaining invisible to the audience when you show the 'blank' slate..
Use the FORCE Luke.
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