Hi Everyone,

The below link shows a mouth coil routine with an assistant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cwiU5Qf_68&feature=related

This is one of the first tricks I learned 20 years, and it always got a great reaction. I know the mouth coil debate (used from the mouth) has been discussed in great detail over the years on this board.

Does anyone still use mouth coils like this? Or are the feelings that they shouldn't be used from the mouth at all.

Thanks,

John

I always loved Tom Burgoon's routine using Toilet Paper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0J9nHHaOjs
You'll see a few highlights at the beginning, but his routine starts at 3:30.

I use them all the time. Kids shows, adults shows. I was disappointed when I found out that Tom's routine was off limits but I ended up with something that suits me much better. Now I'm very glad I abided by his request not to do it. Much better for me in the long run.

Robert Baxt just released his mouth coil routine DVD which the above you tube video is loosely based on. So yes, people are still using mouth coils like this. And for good reason.

I have no problem with the mouth coil from the mouth and it does get a great reaction. And because of that I use it almost every show.

However, I’m not a big fan of the insistence of the performer to have the volunteer touch the mouth coil after it has been in his mouth. Jeff McBride solved that problem by giving the volunteer a pole so that Jeff could wrap the coil around the pole.

Not a major thing but it would make me uncomfortable. So, I wonder if it would make some audience members uncomfortable as well, not to mention the volunteer.

Since about 03, I have also been using bubble coils and dollar coils..(money talks..with a bit of help from a vent.)

Ken, I agree. I would never have the volunteer use their hands to hold the coils.

Frank, Is the do as I do routine Tom Burgoon's, or is the whole toilet paper thing.

Thanks,

John

I was watching the video and wondering how many parents were cringing when John draped the coil around the girls neck. Maybe its just me, but I don't feel comfortable with that either.

I believe the "do as I do" idea is pretty common and almost a natural thing to do. Although I use something like this, I do it in the hands. It gets a very good reaction and the 'yuk' factor is gone. But that's me.

Scott O., That performance on youtube was not of me performing, I posted it as an explanation. I do not know who the magician was in the video and do not want to knock him or anyone on their choice in how to perform a trick. I am a believer that there are things that work for some that don't work for others.

Personally I would not have the volunteer touch the coil with their hands, I would have them use a wand or the like. Or personally pull them out of my mouth.

John

Sorry, John. I misread you initial post. And I'm not knocking him. It seemed to work in that performance. But I still think some people would be uneasy with this nowadays.

I was basically speaking of Tom's use of "Timmy", the face, the lines, etc.
Those are his. He published the routine only so everyone knew which magicians were ripping him off.

The do-as-i-do theme has been around forever. Mine's a do-as-i-do routine as well but the lines, bits, gags are all completely different. I also use a sound guy when one is available for certain cues.