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Night_Crawler
New user
61 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 4:21pm
Does anyone have 'Whisper' by Roger Klause, and if you do, can you say some pro's and con's?
Night_Crawler
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Jason Wethington
Special user
Orlando, Fl
615 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 4:26pm
It is a nice little piece of magic. The craftmanship is top notch (Lassen) and the routining is good. Definitely worth working with.
Jason
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Dan Watkins
Inner circle
PA
3014 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 6:12pm
It is in the spectator's hands. It comes with one of the best booklets ever for the routine.
The routine makes a lot more sense than the ones that turn quarters to a stack of dimes, etc.
It's a quality product. If you are interested, don't think twice.
Click to visit:
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Harry Murphy
Staff
Maryland
4853 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 6:35pm
Whisper is a good version of the old “Cap and Pence” trick. Honestly, I think that I like it better than the Ramsey “Coins and Tube” version.
Roger Klause has built a routine that addresses the weaknesses of the original version. He teaches you a neat way to make a very useable cone (cap) by folding a dollar bill (money origami?).
This can appear to be impromptu. Borrow a dollar bill, few quarters, and a penny (and have your gimmick a la’ Klause) and perform a minor impromptu miracle.
I didn’t know that Lassen made the gimmick here. It is a very (very, very) low tec version. The gimmick is well made, the routine well though out, and the booklet is well produced. It is not difficult to learn and it doesn't take long to master.
Further, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
Downside, it is a gimmick based trick and the gimmick is as big as, say a stack of coins. If you work out of your jeans then you will have a noticeable "lump". Hey big boy do you like me or is that a "Whisper" in your pocket! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Night_Crawler
New user
61 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 6:58pm
I know that Harry Murphy said that it doesn't take long to master, but is it within the reach of a beginner with coins?
Night_Crawler
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Jonathan Townsend
Eternal Order
Ossining, NY
25254 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 7:36pm
Night Crawler,
re whisper for beginners. Sure... AFTER learning to manage coins and props. After gettting comfortable involving an audience member in a routine. After learning to handle coins with some confidence and perhaps even grace/style. Those are the basics. Beginners have mastered the basics. They can then begin to find their own magic.
Bamph!
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Dave Egleston
Special user
Ceres, Ca
632 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2003 7:51pm
Mr. Townsend:
Bamph!
Is that an Emeril reference?
Dave
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James Harrison
Special user
Ontario, Canada
753 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2003 10:55am
Dave,
I'm sure the sarcasm is lost on me; so forgive me.
Bamf is the noise NightCrawler (the Marvel comic book character from the new movie X-men is based on) when he teleports. Any other useless comic book trivia you need, I'm your nerd.
Sign up on my website to find out when my bar bet book and a couple different dvds will be coming out.
www.pickpocketmagic.com
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Harry Murphy
Staff
Maryland
4853 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2003 1:51pm
NC, I believe that a rank beginner in coin work can master “Whisper”. There are absolutely NO difficult sleights. Yes, there is a sleight or two that must be mastered, but they are not difficult. Roger’s instructions are very clear and concise and give you everything you need to perform this gem. If you follow the instructions to the letter and put in the requisite practice time, then you will have a strong routine in your repertoire.
The artist formally known as Mumblepeas!
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Night_Crawler
New user
61 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2003 4:01pm
Thanks a lot for your help, I really appreciate it. I'm going to my local magic shop this weekend and I'm gonna buy it. If you guys and gals have anything else to say, it will be greatly appreciated ...thanks
Night_Crawler
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Dan LeFay
Inner circle
Holland
1372 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2003 5:35pm
Snikt...
James???
"Things need not have happened to be true.
Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths,
that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes,
and forgot."
Neil Gaiman
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Dan Watkins
Inner circle
PA
3014 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2003 9:17am
That was in reference to the "Bamph" Night Crawler sound. "Snikt" is the sound Wolverine's claws make when he pops them out. (Wolverine and Night Crawler are both in the X-Men Comics).
Click to visit:
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James Harrison
Special user
Ontario, Canada
753 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2003 3:51pm
Wow, get your nerd on Dan.
Sign up on my website to find out when my bar bet book and a couple different dvds will be coming out.
www.pickpocketmagic.com
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Dan LeFay
Inner circle
Holland
1372 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2003 5:37pm
Teeheehee, I can imagine us, bunch of nerds doing our favorite coin-routines, defining the magic moments:
"Look! Three coins... now if I do BAMPH... that's number one... SNIKT... that's two... and... not yet... TWIPPH.. ha, too late!"
"Things need not have happened to be true.
Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths,
that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes,
and forgot."
Neil Gaiman
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Jonathan Townsend
Eternal Order
Ossining, NY
25254 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2003 5:57pm
Dan,
Yes, Some of us were using 'Bam!' before Emeril was on TV. Some of us were reading Harlan Elison, P K Dick and Alan Moore back in the 80s and working on developing an aesthetic for our magic.
Why hurl a building or mountain when a pebble might suffice?
The question of integrating special effects like smoke and flashs of light has been with us for a while.
I was hoping N_C might have an idea for getting a whisp of smoke under the bill. Having objects in transit followed by wisps is smoke could be beautiful.
I will leave the spandex dress up stuff to others. I'd make a better sandman. -Jon
...to all the coins I've dropped here
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Pete Biro
V.I.P.
17755 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2003 9:56pm
Cap and Pence... one of the easiest tricks to do... check out Don Alan's routine in Pretty Sneaky or Close Up time. I don't consider any of the moves sleights. You just do it. 
STAY TOONED... @ www.petebiro.com
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James Harrison
Special user
Ontario, Canada
753 Posts
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Posted: Apr 24, 2003 10:11am
That is one Magician I have heard little things about from my magic dealer, though his book is a bit exspensive, Pete, your opinion, you feel the Don Alan book would be worth getting?
Sign up on my website to find out when my bar bet book and a couple different dvds will be coming out.
www.pickpocketmagic.com
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rmbrannon
New user
Georgia
32 Posts
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Posted: Apr 24, 2003 10:29pm
I received Whisper the other day, it is now one of my top routines. great reactions. 
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Paul Chosse
V.I.P.
1955 - 2010
2389 Posts
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Posted: Apr 25, 2003 10:41pm
Quote:
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On 2003-04-24 10:11, James Harrison wrote:
That is one Magician I have heard little things about from my magic dealer, though his book is a bit exspensive, Pete, your opinion, you feel the Don Alan book would be worth getting?
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If you don't know about Don Alan, you are missing a MAJOR part of your magic education. There is hardly a magician working close-up that doesn't owe some part of his show to Don Alan, even if they don't know it. Don had more effect on performing magicians than any other guy in the last half of the 20th century - including Vernon!
Look at the material - Chop cup, Benson Bowl, Rising Cards, Cap and Pence, Invisible Deck, Clyde (or Fred), Card Stab, Ring Flight, Lump of Coal Production (Darker shade of Malini), Koornwinder Car, Cigarette thru, Card to Wallet, Insurance Policy, Monkey in Basket, even Scotch and Soda!
The gags and bits of business that Don invented or popularized are legion - "In a Class by Himself", "Outstanding in his Field", the list of jokes and bits of business is endless. Don was on the Ed Sullivan show more than any other novelty act ever, worked the Playboy curcuit for more years than anyone, had the biggest agent in show business at the time, worked every venue you have ever heard of, from trade shows and hospitality suites, to Vegas Showrooms. He did TV, had his own shows, played Sir Dono on the Mary Hartline Show, was on Playboy after Dark, and on, and on, and on.
Is the Don Alan book worth getting? Get all the little pamphlets he put out - Pretty Sneaky (which was also his tag line for years...), Close-up Time, etc. They are either still in print, or available used for under $10 bucks apiece. You absolutely cannot go wrong.
As for the big book - it is not the book that it was supposed to be - complications you may never hear about prevented that. But you never know - the "rest of the story" could yet be published - there is only one guy who is qualified to do it - he may yet be persuaded...
Do I like Don Alan? Absolutely! Don was one of the best. Do yourself a favor and at least find out a bit about him - you'll be a better magician for the effort - I know I am.
Best, PSC
Oh yeah - this thread was about Roger Klause and "Whisper"... I can tell you this - I got a review copy with the props when it first came out. I have known Roger for many years and this was one of his best kept secrets - and when you get it you'll know why! It's exactly what I've come to expect from Roger. If you have any of Rogers's earlier material, then YOU'LL know what to expect too - and once again Roger delivers!
Why did he keep this under wraps for so long? Well I suspect Roger was doing what he always does - waiting until he had it just the way he imagined it COULD be before he gave it to the magic world. Roger sets standards for himself - and always measures up! If you like what Roger has put out in the past, you won't be disappointed with
"Whisper"!
The props have already been described, and so has the quality of the writing - I won't dispute any of that. And, I'll say this - Roger has done everything he can to make this classic of magic something everyone can do exactly the way he (Roger) does it - what more can you ask for? I am just realizing this sounds like a dealer ad, but it really is just as good as I have said it is - now the decision is up to you - I know what I'd do - if they hadn't sent me one for free!
Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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MichaelSibbernsen
Special user
Omaha, NE
513 Posts
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Posted: Apr 25, 2003 11:12pm
Here is a review of Whisper I wrote some time ago for another board. I hope you find it useful.
Whisper by Roger Klause
Produced by Reel Magic
Retail $40
A detailed review by Michael Sibbernsen
Being in magic for almost 20 years, I have seen my share of magic ads, marketed effects, mass-produced gimmicks, and accompanying instructions. It is indeed a joy, when a piece of magic lives up to all expectations, and delivers exactly what's promised and more.
First impressions:
Inside the standard plastic bag, you find a gimmick and a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 instruction booklet. This is where the standard fare ends. The nicely made gimmick (fully detailed below) comes in a velveteen carrying pouch, with enough room for 7 more coins (six quarters and a penny), as required for the effect. The standard routine requires you to borrow six coins (minus penny) from the audience, but it's nice to have them on hand if you decide not to or if they simply do not have the change.
To say the Whisper instruction booklet is nicely produced would be the understatement of the year. As a matter of fact, I dare say it is a bit overproduced. But if that's a crime, after this lengthy review I will be sharing a cell with the guys at Reel Magic. To give you a feel for the atypical nature of this booklet, let me run down some characteristics.
Full color cover.
30 pages of text including introductions by Tim Trono (author), John Carney, and Paul Gerner. All give historical and personal accounts of this effect and its predecessors.
Artwork by Greg Web and technical drawings by Tony Dunn, yielding a total of 67 illustrations.
Two separate sets of instruction, one for the bill fold (usage explained later in this review) and one for the effect itself. Painstaking step-by-step detail in both.
Direct and indirect credits to 32 people.
Additional Resources in the appendix with 31 complete references.
My goodness! If all magic manufactures put this kind of work into their products, we would have a much less congested market, and an infinitely higher rate of quality effects. If you are truly dedicated, you should have no problem learning the routine as described, and have fun doing it.
A closer look at the gimmick:
I will try not to give away the nature of the coin gimmick in this public forum, but if you are at all familiar with the lineage of the effect, you will no doubt have an idea of what we are dealing with. The gimmick is made by master coin-smith Todd Lasssen of Davenport Iowa, who has recently come onto the magic scene like gangbusters. In fact the gaff I use in my own Parenthetic Coins was custom crafted by Todd. The gimmick he has produced here is simple yet elegant, and is superior to all its predecessors in both appearance and weight. Inside the instruction booklet you will find an illustrative guide to the anatomy of the gimmick, including tips on what to do if it should ever break.
As good as the gimmick is, the one that I received was not without its flaws. Upon close examination, I did have some very small epoxy drops and seepage. I assume that this is not the norm, but noted here for completeness of review. Small flaws crop up in even the best productions from time to time. I also assume that the gimmick would have been replaced by Reel Magic, but in all honesty, would not have been worth the postage. A little careful work with a safety pin and "Goo Gone" adhesive remover, and the gimmick was in perfect order. A word of warning- if your coin gimmick happens to befall a similar ailment, think before you try and fix it yourself. You could potentially damage the gimmick, or even worse break it. The manufacturers (as noted in the booklet) do not cover breakage. [Editorial Note: 4/25/03 After speaking to Todd Lassen about this, he informed me that he was *not* involved in this part of the manufacturing process (so not his fault). Also, as this review was written 2 1/2 years ago, and I assume this "problem" has been solved.] MS
In working, the coin gimmick does its job flawlessly, and is so above suspicion, makes the whole routine a joy to perform. One highlight of the gimmick is the talking that it does during a single point during the routine. The term "talking" usually refers to the undesirable noise that coins make during sleight of hand. In this instance however, it is a wonderful reinforcement towards the legitimacy of what the gimmick represents. In fact, it is this "clink" that is termed "the Whisper" which is the namesake of the effect.
One final note on the coin gimmick. It is for use with American coins only. Undoubtedly the routine will lose its extemporaneous nature if used outside the U.S. Magicians outside the States could of course build a patter presentation around the use of American quarters. Or, as suggested in the aforementioned guide to the gimmick, have Todd Lassen make a custom foreign coin gaff. Contact information is found in the appendix of the manual.
The Effect:
O.K., down to brass tacks. The gimmick and booklet are pure gold, but what of the effect itself? Whisper is Roger Klause's work on the classic (but today rarely seen) Cap and Pence or Stack of Quarters effect. A leather cone used in many of the effect's predecessors has been appropriately replaced by one fashioned out of a dollar bill.
Here is exactly what is seen, presentation omitted.
The performer borrows six quarters and a dollar bill from his audience. The magician folds the dollar into a cone-shaped origami figure, and hands it out for examination. The six coins are counted by a spectator into the magician's hand. The performer adds to the mix by placing his own penny onto the stack. The volunteer is asked to hold out their right hand palm down. The magician gathers up the coins and places them onto the back of the spectator's hand. The magician's left hand lightly holds the spectator's as to keep it steady. The origami cone is carefully lowered over the coins, temporally hiding them from view. The magician asks the spectator to place their right hand underneath his own, allowing the fingertips of both their hands to touch.
The position of both hands "completes the circuit of energy needed for the magic to happen". The cone is lifted to again view the coins, and then lowered. The proper incantation is uttered, and the quarters melt through the back of the spectator's right hand (and apparently the magician's) and fall into their awaiting left. The cone is lifted and immediately squeezed flat. Only the penny remains on the back of their hand. The coins and bill are returned to the audience.
This is an excellent effect. The handling is not difficult, and certainly within the ability of the intermediate performer. Whisper is not self-working, and will require a good deal of effort to make perfect. One caveat is that you will need a partner to properly rehearse the effect. You could use an inanimate object to act as the "spectators hand", but nothing works better than a "live" helper.
By reading the above effect description, you might feel that the placement of the magician's hand may give-away the origin of the penetrating coins. I thought this at first, but after a run through with my wife, I changed my mind. First, the magician's hand is palm-up, logically making it "impossible" to "drop" the coins into the spectator's hand. Indeed, my wife confirmed this when asked. She said, "I could feel a little movement of your hand, but have no idea where the coins came from, especially when they were shown to be gone from the top of my hand." I also suspect, when reconstructing the effect, the spectator will not even remember the magician's hand even near the experiment.
The one thing that makes this effect truly unique is that the moment of magic is accented by the sense of touch, not sight. Very rarely is this the case. Magic, by its very nature is a visual art form. Except for the occasional "clink" or "pow" sound, magic usually doesn't take advantage of the other senses. This effect is different. They "feel" the magic happen. This makes Whisper one of the very few pieces of magic that could be effectively performed for the visually impaired. For the spectator, the sensation is quite surreal. The weight of the coins is felt on the top of the hand, and that weight dissipates as the coins seemingly melt through the hand in an uneven cascade.
Because of the nature of the effect, Whisper is a perfect piece for one-on-one magic. It will also work fine with a small group. Other people in the close-up audience may not have a first person point of view, but will see the result and have fun questioning the volunteer. You will really leave people talking.
Final Words (or thank God he's nearly done)
Off the subject for just a moment.
The term "impromptu magic" commonly elicits two definitions.
1) Magic performed with common objects found at or around the performing area, which can usually be done at a moment's notice.
Or
2) Magic which appears to be performed with common objects at a moment's notice, but may require preparation and (or) a hidden gimmick.
To draw a defined delineation between the two, I like to address the second definition with the following term (consider this the official unveiling to the magic world).
Sim-promptu Magic - "Simulates Impromptu Magic"
I think that it would be honest to say that sim-promptu effects are among the most powerful in magic. Perfect examples include the Hundred Dollar Bill Switch, Winged Silver, Linking Finger Rings, and now? Roger Klause's Whisper.
Kudos to Roger Klause and Reel Magic.
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Review King
Eternal Order
14448 Posts
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Posted: Apr 27, 2003 4:53pm
I like the Johnson 'movable stack' better than the Klause version. The fact that you can/should adjust the stack is the seller here that it's the same 'borrowed' coins.
Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been"
..........John Greenleaf Whittier
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Night_Crawler
New user
61 Posts
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Posted: Apr 29, 2003 5:15pm
I just bought it and I think it is awesome. I'm still working on it, but I can't really tell what it should look like in performance; I can't think of any patter or a story line for it. But thanks for all of the advice.
Night_Crawler
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Great Domino
Special user
Canada
513 Posts
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Posted: Apr 30, 2003 7:29pm
Like it's been said before. the craftsmanship is great and the routine is knockout great. Get your hands on it.
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saranacbo
New user
75 Posts
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Posted: Aug 30, 2005 3:20pm
The cap and pence was always raved about as a fabulous effect, one of THE great classics of magic, but the only instructions I ever saw were in Stars of Magic and quite honestly they eluded me. I'd go back to it from time to time, but never clicked with it. Finally I saw Whisper (on Magic Café, to whom I'm indebted), sent away for it, and it is everything it's been cracked up to be. The only "problem" with it is it can't really be practiced by yourself--you need someone else's hand to get the fine points, I believe. But, sure, you can do it well enough on your own to go forth and amaze. A truly great little piece of magic, and worth its price indeed.
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Review King
Eternal Order
14448 Posts
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Posted: Aug 31, 2005 12:34am
I've used the Johnson set for years. I like that one beacuse the coins"move".
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been"
..........John Greenleaf Whittier
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jerdunn
Inner circle
1167 Posts
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Posted: Sep 1, 2005 3:31pm
If you want versatility, you could always stuff something (such as a foam plug) in the Johnson stack, leaving just enough room for a single penny. This way the stack would still move a bit.
If you also inserted a small magnet just under the top coin, the whole stack could be ditched on a magnet holdout on your back pocket, etc.
Jerry
Check out my new book: MY FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH (National Geographic Society), featuring 75 remarkable people - from the Dalai Lama to Will Ferrell to Lance Burton - talking about the places they love most. For info, go to www.myfavoriteplacenatgeo.com.
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sethb
Inner circle
The Jersey Shore
2619 Posts
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Posted: Sep 2, 2005 8:21am
I have the Johnson set as well as the newer Whisper-style stack. Although the work on the Johnson stack is impeccable, I really prefer the newer stack.
The fact that the Johnson stack can pivot is, in my opinion, almost irrelevant. If you perform this effect with borrowed coins and handle the switch well, nobody is going to suspect the stack in the first place.
I also think the Whisper effect is much more logical. When the quarters pass through the hand, leaving the penny, it's quite puzzling to most spectators. On the other hand, with the standard Johnson Cap & Pence effect, there is no logical reason for the appearance of a stack of dimes, and I believe it only serves to help tip the gaff.
It is possible to modify a Johnson stack to approximate the Whisper effect, by using a little magician's wax to place a penny on top of the stack. But the Whisper stack is really better designed for the penny, and is also easier to handle. And the instructions that come with Whisper are beyond good. When was the the last time you got a magic trick with set of instructions that was 20 pages long, completely illustrated and included a biblioigraphy?
While I haven't ever had any problems with my Whisper gaff, I have heard that it might break apart if dropped on a hard surface, because it is glued rather than riveted. If so, a little Crazy Glue should solve the problem. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC
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Review King
Eternal Order
14448 Posts
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Posted: Sep 2, 2005 5:28pm
Quote:
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On 2005-09-01 15:31, jerdunn wrote:
If you want versatility, you could always stuff something (such as a foam plug) in the Johnson stack, leaving just enough room for a single penny. This way the stack would still move a bit.
If you also inserted a small magnet just under the top coin, the whole stack could be ditched on a magnet holdout on your back pocket, etc.
Jerry
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Jerry, those ideas are brilliant. Thanks for sharing them!!!
Chris
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been"
..........John Greenleaf Whittier
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Tim Trono
Inner circle
1098 Posts
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Posted: Sep 2, 2005 7:58pm
Check out the Mike Close convincer in his Closely Guarded Secrets e-book/CD.
I have played around with various subtleties including using a steel core penny and a magnetic coin as the top coin of the stack. You can then pick the penny off the stack and put it down in a gesture just as a convincer.
You can also use a magnet in your back pocket to attract the stack to clean up if the top few coins are magnetic (or shims for that matter depending on how you decide to handle it).
I made a stack with supposedly 4 quarters. Just for clarification, Todd made bottom gimmicked coins of the stack only and we assembled the stacks when we released it long ago. At the time Todd was the only one who could do the machining necessary. We tried to credit him for this but it was not as clear as it should have been as to his involvement.
It's a great routine... I remember the first time Roger Klause showed it to me I was amazed.
Tim Trono
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joseph
Eternal Order
Please ignore my
14391 Posts
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Posted: Sep 3, 2005 7:22am
How about the John Carney version, which uses a pencil....(super Idea)....
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." (Einstein)...
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