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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
I recently decided that I am intrested in dabbling in mentalism some. But what books should I start with?
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Jim Short Regular user 142 Posts |
I'll give you the same advice you'll probably hear from a hundred others - start with Annemann and/or Corinda.
I'd start with Corinda's 13 Steps to Mentalism because it was designed as a course and laid out to be read in order (or at least each lesson was). Annemann's Practical Mental Effects (available in an inexpensive Dover edition as Practical Mental Magic) wasn't originally designed as a book, which isn't to say the information isn't invaluable. Depending on how "dabbly" you want to get, Karl Fulves's Self-Working Mental Magic has some really good stuff, really cheap.
Was that meant to be edible?
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Jeremy L. Special user 800 Posts |
Although I don't have it Prism should be good.
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Phil Thomas Inner circle Newark, Ohio 1117 Posts |
Although not a book, check out the PSI series dvds from Banachek. Volumes 1 and 2 have really easy to master but yet powerful mentalism routines. If you feel like splurging, get all 4 volumes. Volume 4 teaches some really cool metal bending routines. Hope this helps.
:cheers: Phil
"If we lose the sense of the mysterious, life is no more than a snuffed out candle."
Albert Einstein |
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DanielTyler New user New York 95 Posts |
My top recommendation would be Corindas, although Anneman is essential as well.
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Jim Short Regular user 142 Posts |
The Prism recomendation isn't bad but one would get a lot more out of it after one already had a pretty good grounding in the basics of mentalism. For example, Mr. Maven will reference a CT without specifically teaching one.
Also, you might list what books you already have. The Tarbell books, for example, have some very good mentalism effects, as do some other classic magic books.
Was that meant to be edible?
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
Thanks for all the advice. Jim, Right now I don't have any books on mentalism. All the books that I do have ar all card books and a couple coin books. I have been thinking of getting the Richard Osterlind DVD's.
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Jim Short Regular user 142 Posts |
If you're going to do that, start with DVD two. It has the most "classic" mentalism material. Then get the rest of them
I'd have recommended them earlier, but you specifically mentioned books.
Was that meant to be edible?
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Antelope New user England 25 Posts |
I too am very interested in mentalism, I've been doing card magic for many years (well relatively) and want to branch out. I've both DB's books Pure Effect & Absolute Magic and also Corinda's 13 Steps.
I know this is stuff that gets asked a lot and don't expect an explanation of the method but is there any literature or dvd that teaches how to do the book test the way Derren Brown does... ie borrowed book no gimick involved (I think). I really love that effect and would love to learn how to do it or something similar. Thanks for any help, Ant |
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Jim Short Regular user 142 Posts |
I have a self-imposed rule that has served me well. If I see an effect on tv I won't do it in my act for a year. If it's already in my repertoire I drop it.
One of the criticisms of magicians is "they all do the same tricks." If someone is on tv millions have seen that someone, and talked to millions more who didn't see him/her. If you then do the same trick (or even a similar one) to one the person on tv did yesterday, it makes you less special, and it makes the tv appearance less special to the people who see you. It reinforces that stereotype that "they all do the same tricks." Rather than finding the Derren Brown book test or something similar, look for that thing that sets you apart from everyone else who wants to learn the Derren Brown book test. The Corinda book has miracles in it for someone willing to invest the time and attention. Derren could take any number of things from that book and make you ask how he did them or where you could find them, because he's not selling someone else's tricks, he's selling Derren Brown, and doing a heck of a job of it, I might add. My suggestion would be to find some good stuff in the Corinda book (there's plenty, I guarantee it), then sell Antelope.
Was that meant to be edible?
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Antelope New user England 25 Posts |
That certainly makes sense and I am going through Corinda time and time, I can't quite bring myself to use a swami yet though, don't know why except I feel its cheating (even though I know this is the whole point of mentalism, guess I'm just a bit twisted). I prefer the paper that's been there the whole time / never touched or so it seems - guess I've just contradicted myself there so I'll say that I've never touched.
I don't want to perform his effect for gain or to strangers but its something really good to show friends plus its driving me crazy trying to figure out how he does it without (it appears) having seen the book beforehand as with the dictionary or a totally free choice of book and page as with others. I don't want to be him, because I'm not that good or that way inclined, but have enormous respect for him as a performer and in his work and just want that little bit more understanding so that I may adapt it or gain inspiration in my own way. Ant |
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sjdavison Inner circle Surrey, UK 1379 Posts |
Let us not forget, however, the tremendous advantage that is offered by having a camera crew and television editing - although many many effects can be equally direct in real time. Just read, think, and as everyone will say, inject your own personality.
Simon |
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
Thank you again every one. I should have mentioned videos along with books. I am going to the magic shop tonight, so hopefully I will find some of the books you all have mentioned.
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Antelope New user England 25 Posts |
Sjdavision, I agree about the television editing but have also been to his live show and although the book test was not performed a lot of his tv routine was, which was encouraging to see especially as it still flowed as slickly as it does on tv. Being in my early 20s, like you I see, and practicing since I was 16 DB has been a particular role-model for me and is something that I aspire to, although not to copy-cat I may add. It just so happens that his particular style is what got me interested in magic in the first place and the way that I find the easiest and most comfortable/natural to perform and also the most believable with its dark nature.
Ant Also I think I must clarify that I don't wish to try and pass someone elses (DB's) pieces off as my own or worse make a bad job of copying them. I simply feel that as he achieves the effects I find the most fascinating a firm understanding of his methods would alow me to incorporate those techniques into my own effects thereby taking my performance and original ideas to a new level. This would allow me to stay in the vein of magic that I love dark, rather gothic styled and believable whilst creating my own effects. Its simply that everyone knows cards move by slight of hand (and yes this is something I perform a lot of) but a trick of the mind is so much more confusing and unfathomable (Just re-read this sentance and no pun really was intended, honest, I'm not that sad). Ant |
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the_houdini_jester Loyal user Charlottesville, Virginia 264 Posts |
13 steps all the way through. cant go wrong with 13 steps
All the Magic things I don't have are like the foods I've never had. One day I'll have some but I will never have all.
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sjdavison Inner circle Surrey, UK 1379 Posts |
Antelope, I totally agree with you, hence my phrase 'many effects can be equally direct in real time', I was just mentioning that not all effects you see on television are that direct in reality.
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calexa Inner circle Germany 1635 Posts |
So what did you buy then?
Magixx
Optimists have more fun.....
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Corey Harris Inner circle Kansas City, MO 1229 Posts |
I ended up getting Annemanns Practical Mental Effects
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Jim Short Regular user 142 Posts |
If you need specific help on something out of the book, PM me.
Was that meant to be edible?
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Ed Hutchison Regular user Madison, MS (orig. CNY) 118 Posts |
As someone who has been doing mental magic and hypnosis for 30 years and who has himself written a couple of books on the subject, I'd like to make a suggestion to any newcomer to the field: begin with Annemann and Corinda.
But then realize that a lot of the really good stuff on the subject is written by people you are unlikely to have heard much about: Phantini, Rutledge, Riggs, Richardson, etc. ER Hutchison |
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