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magicmondo New user Dallas, TX (English by birth) 28 Posts |
I did an audition the other day for a corporate gig and I killed 'em (it's my humility that gets them every time!).
I did it with the old classics, hopping half and scotch and soda - and I sometimes think that we magi oft forget that it is these simple age old classics that often get the best reactions from our lay bretheren. We see this stuff all the time and we are always seeking new ideas - when really what we should be doing is trying to think of original and personal ways to present these excellent classic effects. I had 3 calls from the entertainment comittee afterwards to congratulate me on my performance, and they all wanted to know how I did it - very well, thank you! Don't forget the classics, they are the bread and butter of our art and income.
Experience the Magic of Mondo
Visit me at www.magicmondo.com "If there was no such thing as magic, I would look pretty foolish standing up here" |
Michael Peterson Inner circle is where I'm trapped, because of my 4071 Posts |
I totally agree, I think many of us think in terms of what we have seen & what is new. I can always get a fantastic rection from a scotch & soda or my Hopping half. Something as simple as the dime & penny can blow a spectator away.
I'm not much of a coin guy, I rely on my gaffed coins to give the illusion of great sleight of hand. The spectators don't know the difference. |
magicmondo New user Dallas, TX (English by birth) 28 Posts |
I'm with you on the sleights Ichazod - give me gaffs and gimmicks and I will look like I know what I am doing!
Experience the Magic of Mondo
Visit me at www.magicmondo.com "If there was no such thing as magic, I would look pretty foolish standing up here" |
Michael Peterson Inner circle is where I'm trapped, because of my 4071 Posts |
Amen brother!
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dukenotes New user Winchester, KY 70 Posts |
I totally agree. I'm also a musician and I know that bad songs can be hard to play, and great songs can be easy to play.
The same goes for magic... we shouldn't judge our effect based on their difficulty Duke |
Platt Inner circle New York 2015 Posts |
Since when did Hopping Half become an old classic?
Sugar Rush is here! Freakishly visual magic. http://www.plattmagic.com
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magicmondo New user Dallas, TX (English by birth) 28 Posts |
About 15 minutes ago
Experience the Magic of Mondo
Visit me at www.magicmondo.com "If there was no such thing as magic, I would look pretty foolish standing up here" |
trevorsmagic Regular user The U.K. 186 Posts |
Right on brother, I agree 100%. Here in the UK, I was performing to tables and I used the Eddie Gibson coin, unique, you have the pound and the new penny in your palm, you pick up the penny in full view of the specs and whoosh it's gone ....in front of the very eyes. Now, to the guys who know this trick, it's easy and sometimes an overlooked trick but it fries laypeople every single time.
Hey, after all this typing I need coffee .....trevor |
Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
If you get the chance to observe established tradeshow magicians, you'll notice them performing classics such as Professor's Nightmare, Cut & Restored Rope, T&R Newspaper, 3 Card Monte, Linking Rings, Cups and Balls and others.
A classic trick is a classic for a reason. The effect is simple, direct and lends itself to a wide variety of patter possibilities.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
Fredrick Loyal user Seattle 248 Posts |
Geoff's statement is right on the money. (sorry I could not resist)
Classic effects are straight forward and typically one can describe them in a short phrase. Audiences lose interest in effect long and convoluted. As to the thread of sleights vs. gaff's, my advice would be a "both/and" Use them both, it will keep you and them on their toes.
"Try to find the humanity in the magic and maybe you'll come up with something of your own. It's the humanity that gets you there, not techniques." Michael Moschen on Creativity
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Matt Graves Special user Huntsville, Alabama (USA) 504 Posts |
Dai Vernon always recommended learning the classics early on, because they would train you for all other magic. Plus, once you've gone where magicians of the past have, you can look forward to the future . . .
Love those new emoticons . . . |
KingStardog Inner circle 2134 Posts |
What is it with tradeshow people and the Monte?
I agree with Geoff, only its the linking ropes and torn and restored dollar bill for me. C/S, hopping halfs, CSB and any of the scotch and soda/dime and penny are in order here. Keep in mind that sleights alot of times have alot of angle problems that don't surface with the gaffs. At shows you are usualy backed up to a wall/booth and folks are standing on each side as well as in front. The classics when practiced properly work very well in multiple and sometimes hostile/unfamiliar environments. At that point you can work on connecting with the people, not how dry your palms are, or the backclip angles.
...think not that all wisdom is in your school. You may have studied other paths,but, it is important to remember that no matter who you are or where you come from, there is always more to learn.
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jerdunn Inner circle 1735 Posts |
Maybe I'm entering geezerhood, but I'd have thought the "old classics" would mean things like Flying Eagles, Coins Through the Table, Coins to Glass, copper-silver routines, maybe even Spellbound.
In other words, the era of Bobo and beyond. Jerry |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Classics are important. IMHO it is important to put YOUR slant on them and make them yours.
I like combining sleight of hand with an occasional gimmick, ie c/s or E.S. Classical music also can add a new dimension. Last year I was doing a short interlude with some Frank Sinatra tunes. Now thats a classic. Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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