I remember what it's like. When I was fairly new to magic I would go to magic gatherings and feel so intimidated by these magicians who have been practicing for years. Especially those who I knew there work and maybe even owned a trick or book of theirs.

If they would ask me if I'd perform something for them. My reply was usually "Uh ah"..

When I finally got enough courage to do something for them I discovered something. I found out that if I did the trick well. It didn't matter if it was an original trick. It didn't matter if they knew how I did it and it didn't matter if it needed a little work.

Actually, the best moments I can remember of this kind of thing happening is when I did something that needed a little work and they nicely told me what I'd need to work on. They often showed me the right way. Even going as far as sitting there with me and walking me through it.

The last time I felt this feeling was at Abbotts Get together. Someone asked if I could do my coin routine for some people. I said sure so I followed him. There are the table was BlackStone, Jr. Jay Marshall, Bret Danields, Abb Dickinson and Karrel Fox. I was like, "Why didn't yon tell me?!!!" It went over great thought and we ended up talking for about a half hour about the routine.

If you are fairly new to magic and you are in a situation where you are performing for magicians. Have fun and do your best. Just don't worry about fooling them. They'll be impressed at your effort. you might even do something they've never seen before. We all learn from different sources so you just never know.

I just thought I'd bring this up. Try not to be intimidated. Admiring someone for a reason is great but remember, they still like magic too or they wouldn't be doing it.

Ron Jaxon

That's great advice. So, when would you like to see my act?

Great post. I always feel that way when I perform for some "better" magician. Thanks for sharing.

Michael

Thanks for the encouragement Ron. I know that as I become more immersed in magic and meet great magicians in the future, this'll probably come up.

If your a beginner and you are performing for an advanced magician, one of two things will happen:

1: He or she will watch attentively, then encourage you, then -- very probably -- offer advice baed on years of experience. He or she remembers what it is like and that person is worth listening to.

2: He or she will dismiss your efforts, probably without even watching them, forgetting that every single one of us was in the same position at one time. He or she is an idiot and not worth listening to.

Oh Jaxon, I was in a situation like this only a few weeks ago (at my first magic convention).
it's as if you are writing directly to me.
I agree with your post.

Jonathan.

Peter,

Most of the advanced magicians I know are like number 1 and a great deal of fun to spend time with. However, we have a member like number 2 (interesting choice of words) in one of my clubs. He is on the verge of being asked to leave due to his attitude. Do you have any advice on how to influence him to be less of an @%!&@! ?

The worst part is, he's not really an advanced magician. He's a great mimic. In addition to not wanting to help the newer magicians, his entire act is a ripoff of another club member.

This is great advice, if only I could find an advanced magician in my area to watch and critique me!

BerkleyJL writes: "Do you have any advice on how to influence him to be less of an @%!&@!"

First, he has to realize that he is the problem, not an easy thing to do; then it's up to him to act on it.
So I guess the answer is "no, I don't!" Sorry! 8-(

I was at a magic convention years ago, sitting with some old friends and a few new ones. We were swapping tricks, and after I was done with one, the man sitting next to me said "I'll be right back, they're calling for me" as the M.C. announced the guest of the evening, Lennart Green.

I still get nervous when I perform at ring meetings. Somehow I feel that everything I do is exposed, especially card sleights. Its an uncomfortable feeling, but with time and more material, its become much better.

When ever I go to the magic shop here in KC, Mo, The store manager always asks to see what I have been working on and to see my pass. I get so nervous its not even funny. He is always a help though. I need to Join the local ring here so I can meet and learn from the other magicians around here.

I've found a way to perform for better magicians. I bought a digital camcorder at Target for about $100. Then I post the films on my web site and ask other magician's to critique them.

Actually, I've only done this once so far but I intend on doing it a lot more often. The response that I got from the more advanced magician was absolutely priceless.

Zur and Tanker,
The whole purpose of magic clubs and, to a great extent, magic dealers, is to give aspiring magicians a place to try out their material in front of a sympathetic audience, which will not be overly critical and expecting perfection.
In other words, the aspiring magician needs a place to be bad.
With practice, as Zur says, it becomes easier.
The better you know your material, and material you will never use, the easier it becomes.

Great phrasing, Peter!

This is what is probably most forgotten by the neophytes. You've got to be bad before you can be good!

Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Thanks for that advice!

Magixx

Yes Peter,

The local magic meeting is akin to the old Catskill resorts where comedians went to be bad and learn their craft. The difference is the real audiences may not have been as kind as our brother magicians.

Myself, I love to perform for a lay audience and if ythere is a magician or two there I play to the audience and put their presence out of mind. When given the option I almost always choose not to perform for other magicians. I find it to be an unrewarding proposition. Some find it very rewarding and stimulating.

For example I have never entered a contest of magic at any convention, be it regional or national. Yet my first foray into the world of national magic contest was as a judge not as an entrant. Yet many a struggling magician has made a name for themselves entering and eventually winning such contests. (quick somebody name a judge...see what I mean?)

This is not to say I have not asked better performers to watch and critique my performance. But I consider this more of a learning than a performing experience.

This can be hard to accept, especially when you really really want to be good.

When you think about it, it's true about everything. You used to be really bad at walking. You used to be so bad at talking that only your parents could understand you, and even they weren't sure much of the time.

I read something a while back about kids and learning music. The author had found that kids who had a slightly inflated view of their own abilities ended up being the best musicians. I think that's because, thinking themselves better than they are, they persevere in being bad, and go on to being good. Those who know how bad they really are hold back and never get good.

So, my encouragement to everybody is: Go ahead. Be bad. Be really, really bad. Because that's the only way to get good.

Geoff