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guitargeorge360 New user 1 Post |
Hi everyone,
Wow, what a place! The amount of info and friendly advice within these forums is unbelievable. OK, so I thought I'd introduce myself and get involved instead of just looking around. I've been interested in Magic since I was a small child (haven't most of us?) and grew up watching The Paul Daniels Magic Show on TV (I'm from England). I entered a talent show at a Butlins Holiday camp when I was 12 and came second. The most terrifying experience of my life! Anyway, life got in the way and I started playing the guitar instead of doing magic and have been a semi-pro musician for about 30 years now (I'm 48 now). I got back into Magic in a big way when I was 19 or 20 (after discovering Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic) and really started to practice. I managed to get a 20 min card routine together and I was going to audition to join the Northern Magic Circle but again life got in the way. I'd like to try and get back to that level and beyond but even if I can just baffle friends, family and work colleagues for now, that will keep me happy. I got back into magic again at 33 but only for a year or so as I became quite ill, however, the love of it never left me and I'm back for a fourth crack of the whip so to speak! Now that life is settled with family, health and career I know I have the time (and money! lol) to practise and study. My music is it a high enough level that it can finally take a back seat for a while. My current level in magic is still definitely beginner though. I'm currently working through the Royal Road to Card Magic (properly this time) and feel comfortable with most of the Overhand Shuffle techniques so far. Card magic is definitely my main area of interest and I have got the bug again for collecting decks of cards (this is going to get costly!). I'd also like to get into some cardistry as well, as that really appeals from a visual point of view and also from being a musician because of the whole handling/dexterity aspect. I already have quite a decent library of books that I collected when I was previously into magic at 19 and 33 and so I think I have plenty to be getting on with but of course all recommendations are always welcome. Getting advice from experienced magicians can only help in my opinion! The books I have at present are as follows (I think they're some of the more popular ones judging from lists I've read previously): Royal Road To Card Magic - Jean Hugard Encyclopedia Of Card Tricks - Jean Hugard Complete Course in Magic - Mark Wilson Self-Working Card Tricks - Karl Fulves More Self-Working Card Tricks - Karl Fulves Expert Card Technique - Jean Hugard Card Manipulations - Jean Hugard The Expert At The Card Table - S.W. Erdnase Modern Coin Magic - J.B. Bobo The Complete Illustrated Book Of Card Magic - Walter Gibson The Complete Illustrated Book Of Close-Up Magic - Walter Gibson Encyclopedia Of Impromptu Magic - Martin Gardner The Amateur Magician's Handbook (3rd & 4th Editions) - Henry Hay Absolute Magic - Derren Brown Pure Effect - Derren Brown The Derren Brown books are in perfect condition and I beleive are quite pricey to buy these days due to being out of print so I guess I was lucky to buy them all those years ago! I haven't read most of the books (I went a bit crazy collecting them when I was younger) and I know some of them are quite advanced which is why I thought I'd stick to The Royal Road and the Self-Working books for now. Sorry, didn't mean to end up writing War & Peace! Just looking forward to being a member of the community and really enjoying/practising the wonderful art of magic. Cheers, Paul. |
terrillific Loyal user San Antonio, TX 292 Posts |
Welcome! The Card College books are good sources of skills and semi-automatic and self working tricks.
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guitargeorge360 New user 1 Post |
Thanks! The Card College books are definitely something I've looked at but was wondering if they are worth buying considering the material I already have?
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Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
From the list of your superb books, The Royal Road to Card Magic is, in my honest opinion, one of the greatest books about card magic ever written (along with Expert Card Technique).
I've read (in some cases browsed) literally hundreds of magic books and magazines over the past 43 years. The vast majority have been sold on. The RRTCM and ECT are remainers in my library. Card College - I truly believe that this 5 volume series is overly-hyped. I really don't know what anyone would get from Card College that isn't covered within RRTCM and ECT by Hugard/Braue. However, an unreserved recommendation I would give you is The Magic Book, by Harry Lorayne. It covers Cards, Coins and other principles of magic with everyday items. If you like Harry Lorayne's style of teaching via the written word (and I'm sure that you will) then Harry's Book 'Close-up Card Magic' would be the next natural progression.
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
guitargeorge360 New user 1 Post |
Thanks for the recommendation, The Magic Book is on Amazon for £16.99 so I think I'll check it out, cheers!
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wulfiesmith Inner circle Beverley, UK 1339 Posts |
You certainly like your reading!
welcome to the Café ... whereabouts in England are you? |
Merc Man Inner circle NUNEATON, Warwickshire 2537 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 21, 2020, guitargeorge360 wrote: It could just be the best £16.99 you'll ever spend in magic!
Barry Allen
Over 14 years have passed - and still missing Abra Magazine arriving every Saturday morning. |
guitargeorge360 New user 1 Post |
Quote:
On Jan 22, 2020, wulfiesmith wrote: Thanks, I'm up in Newcastle upon Tyne. I wish I could say I've read all those books but I think I just got a little obsessed with buying anything that sounded good at the time! At least I've got plenty to keep me going this time round... |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Welcome guitargeorge,
You have enough source material for now. Are you performing at all? -Mary Mowder |
guitargeorge360 New user 1 Post |
Quote:
On Feb 2, 2020, Mary Mowder wrote: I think I have too much to be honest so I'm just sticking to Royal Road for now, far too easy to get distracted! As for performing, no, just for my wife at present. I really want to get the techniques down well and also rehearse a few tricks so I can perform them very well. I made the mistake when learning guitar of trying to do too much at once which I want to avoid this time round. I've also been to my local magic shop (really helpful and friendly) and they invited me to one of the magic lectures they put on (a french magician called Olmac) which is very exciting. Just like in music, I think the best way to learn is to be around other people who know what they are doing so I guess my journey starts here! |
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