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krist0pher New user 66 Posts |
I'm only a year into Magic now, and I've been wondering whether or not to seriously look into seeking out a local Magician for lessons.
At first, both my ego and wallet took over and decided that anything learned in person could be learned through video and books. But I'm starting to think that I was way off. I'd like to think that what I'm learning from both sources is good, but could be improved tenfold if taught in person with someone who could point out my mistakes. Any advice or 2 cents would be much appreciated.
Kristopher Scofield
Myspace.com/imkrisscofield |
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Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
One of the hardest things to do as a magician is to judge your own performance. It is one thing to learn mechanics and quite another to learn how to present it well. The latter, in my opinion, is far more important. With a good presentation you can get people to scream with delight.... or fear. That is pretty cool stuff! So yes, seek out a mentor from a magician whose magic impresses you, not just anyone. A good mentor can recommend not only mechanics, but how to structure your words, presentation, routine and show. This isn't about doing elmsley counts, that you can learn from a DVD, this is about creating a magical experience. And a mentor is worth their weight in gold. One idea can change everything for you.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
In person is MUCH better! I have hundreds of dollars in videos, books, DVDs, and none of them helped nearly as much as a one hour "session" I had recently.
But you do have to do some homework first. If I had this session first without some background knowledge on the "what" and "how," I'd still be lost. He taught me the "why" and things became much clearer. A good example is our own Steven Pillay. He's working hard on a Cups and Balls routine, and I think I've seen about five or six video attempts and dozens of messages on the Café in the past few months. If he had a magician close to him, the past four months could have been trimmed to a few weeks or even days.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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alson Regular user 143 Posts |
It really good to have a mentor ,in my case I had many .But on the other hand ,
I had no videos or dvd just books and a mirror . I think you need to know the basics of what you are into in magic and then go to the your mentor and ask how you can inprove.I was real lucky even after my show was going to have a director who did some plays and movies to look at the way I presented my act and taught about timing and stage pesents.If you can take some kind of acting class , I feel you will benfit by that.But I will tell you I do like the dvds and videos and would have griven anything to have them when I started. Alson |
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ClouDsss Inner circle 1799 Posts |
Yes if you can find one at a reasonable price. Helps to have someone who can watch you like a spectator and point out the mistakes to you and advise you.
cheerios
Think outside the box, cos people are all thinking inside now!! - ClouDsss
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muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
I attend the lectures that come to my area. Besides supporting my local magic shop, I get to meet and learn from true masters of the art. I have also met many local magicians while attending these lectures. I have formed some really good friendships from these gatherings as well. Honestly, their is nothing better than working 1 on 1 with someone that knows and understands all the business of performing magic. Not just the slights, but audience management skills, and making props and gimmicks. For me, my "teacher" is a variety of people. They all have something that makes me become better at what I do.
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kihei kid Inner circle Dog House 1039 Posts |
I concur. If your lucky enough to have a brick and mortar, this is the place to be. Not only can you buy your books and videos off them and help keep a good thing going, but, they can help you along the way.
Together with “the gang” that hangs out you can watch each other grow and bounce ideas (good and bad) off of each other.
In loving memory of Hughie Thomasson 1952-2007.
You brought something beautiful to this world, you touched my heart, my soul and my life. You will be greatly missed. Until we meet again “my old friend”. |
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Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Mentors are great, and that is a lot of what magic clubs are all about. Joining one gives you a good number of mentors and peers to help you learn and assist your development. It is worth joining one even if you have to drive a couple of hours to get to meetings. IBM, SAM, or any other organization can give you list of their rings , assemblies, etc. which might be in your area
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Joey Stalin Inner circle Canada 1072 Posts |
Having someone to teach you things is one of the best things possible. There are things that books might not teach, like a better way to tell the stroy of a trick. Or simpler ways of forcing, false cutting, shuffling ect. I have learns a lot from once a week meetings with a few guys at my local magic shop. I would have never gotten the perfect production prefect if it wasn't for one guy I know lol. They provide good feedback and aren't intimidating to show tricks to. Great for practice.
-A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.
-It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them. -The secret impresses no one. The trick you use it for is everything. See you space cowboy... |
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comic1 New user Tony Roberts 2 Posts |
A mentor is a god send not only for advice but also for motivation, the most amazing thing I am discovering with magic is the wilingness of performers to share the gift,to share thoughts and idea's.
Education is only knowledge until it is experienced. Cheers Tony Roberts
May your life's toast always land buttered side up.
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Gary Barnard Regular user Tennessee 145 Posts |
Yeah man, I think you should definately get a mentor. When I first started I had the same attitude as you about books and movies, but, when I finally found someone who could teach me, I picked up on the stuff way faster. Another good thing about a mentor is, if you have a question about an effect, you can ask him. That's something you can't do with a book or a movie. Hope this helps man.
Gary
Gary
"It's in the very trickery that it pleases me. But show me how the trick is done, and I have lost my interest therein." - Seneca the Younger, In his 45th Epistle to Lucilius (4 B.C.-A.D. 65) |
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Metius Regular user Italy 175 Posts |
Don't know if what someone would need should be a "teacher", but live practicing is something unbeatable to reach higher level.In magic, as in music, practicing by yourself could be good and lead you to high level. Studying with a teacher (or maybe sessioning with other magicians) or live gigs can take you to a higher level in half of the time.
Eppure una volta avetti sette in latino...(G.Marziano)
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Parson Smith Inner circle 1937 Posts |
If you can find a mentor/teacher, tht is the way to go.
Here kitty, kitty,kitty.
+++a posse ad esse+++ |
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jack_is_dead Regular user japan 173 Posts |
I cant find a mentor so I just always go to a local magic shop and bug the magicians life to show me some tricks..i learn from just seeing him perform
one eyed man is the king in the blind land
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Gary Barnard Regular user Tennessee 145 Posts |
Well. I got my mentor by going to the magic shop. I simply asked him one day if he could give me a lesson. And, from then on, he became my teacher. I've learned a lot from him and we've became friends, and now I go to the magic shop and hang out and talk about magic. Maybe you could find your teacher that way.
Gary
"It's in the very trickery that it pleases me. But show me how the trick is done, and I have lost my interest therein." - Seneca the Younger, In his 45th Epistle to Lucilius (4 B.C.-A.D. 65) |
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boynextdoor Regular user Lancaster 129 Posts |
Is there any other way to find a mentor? We don't have a magic shop in my town (Nowheresville, Ca). I've been talking to a very nice magician, but from what I gather, he doesn't exactly live within walking distance if you catch my drift...
Trapeze above the Grand Canyon. Be impressed.
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Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Do a Google search for:
International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). and Society of American Magicians (SAM). They should have some info on local magic clubs. |
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Gary Barnard Regular user Tennessee 145 Posts |
Yes, IBM and SAM are also a good way to find a mentor. I have been thinking about joining IBM for sometime now, the only problem is, the nearest ring is about an hour drive away.
Gary
"It's in the very trickery that it pleases me. But show me how the trick is done, and I have lost my interest therein." - Seneca the Younger, In his 45th Epistle to Lucilius (4 B.C.-A.D. 65) |
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Roland Henning Special user Kiel, Germany 511 Posts |
Seeking a Teacher: NO
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irishguy Special user Ohio 629 Posts |
Learning magic under someone else is the same as having a teacher for anything: it depends upon the teacher. A good teacher should help you find your own way along in magic; a bad teacher will just try to make you a clone of himself.
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