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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-03 13:53, ColinDymond wrote: What does this do, exactly? Mark |
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keeblem Inner circle Essex, UK 1167 Posts |
Hey - I've just watched a very cool and funky guy over on you tube - and I still don't understand what this thing does! I certainly can't see how I could use one in a children's show!
Colin - please enlighten me! Mark |
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LMLipman Elite user Falls Church, Va. 443 Posts |
Well, I tried incorporating more sound into my shows this weekend. I probably rushed it a bit, but I was so eager I went ahead with it at three shows this weekend. When I was at the Kapital Kidvention, I purchased Arthur Stead’s royalty-free “Make It Magic Performance CD.”
I also tried, but was unsuccessful, to make a version of Jim Kleefeld’s SoundControl system. I could do the iPod programming, including making the labels and keeping the iPod running between sound cues, but I could not find the hardware he uses—even from my local Apple retail store. So I ended up biting the bullet and purchasing it from Jim. It’s a good CD of images, a pdf booklet explaining how the system works and how to customize it, a bunch of sound cues, and the hardware, two pieces which combined can fit in a small change purse. I used the system for my opening act music and then using Arthur’s “Show Stopper” track, I had a fanfare after greeting each kid and saying, “Let’s have a big hand for Billy…” I was also able to use some music in one of the tricks and after the final trick. All of this is controlled by the small remote control that easily rests at the bottom of your pocket. The system worked great at the first show, for a preschool and parents and siblings, but I couldn’t get it to work at the next show, a Blue & Gold banquet. For some reason, I couldn’t advance to the next track. Of course when I tried it at home after the banquet, it worked perfectly. So I tried it again the next night at another Blue & Gold Banquet and this time it worked like a charm. My conclusion is that it was probably operator error in not hitting the controls exactly right that caused the problem the previous night. Like anything in magic, practice, practice, practice. I’d practiced, but not enough. I’m confident that it will become second-nature. I had been concerned that using music would alter the tenor of my show. I found it didn’t. In fact, the use of the fanfare added to the drama of each kid’s selection and became a running thread in the show. I also got a big laugh when I used some of Arthur’s music that resembles the “Jaws” shark music when doing a trick that involved a young child holding a silk with a grinning shark drawn on it. The parents really appreciated it, even if it went over the kids’ heads. In short, I’m glad I took the music plunge. There is some work setting up the playlist, but it’s not too difficult and goes quicker after you get the hang of it. Now that I've done it, I plan to use the opener,the fanfare, and possibly other related music, in all my shows--including birthday parties Larry Lipman Lorenzo the Great! |
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Amazing Magic Co Inner circle 1706 Posts |
I use music for pre-show build up, an intro montage, audience volunteer bumpers, accompaniment to specific routines, and out-tro music. I deliberately try to not overdue sound/music use as to lose its impact where it adds the greatest dramatic moment. Too much sound can over complicate the show from a spectators vantage point as well. In most cases, I'm using Magic Enhancer announcements along with edited music clips. I'm a big fan of SmartSound software (http://www.smartsound.com/sonicfire/ ) to create custom royalty-free tracks. I recently started using a Roland Cube Street and absolutely love it saving my Fender PD-150 for larger venues.
Dan. |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Visit http://www.Arthurstead.com. Arthur has some of the best royalty-free music on the market and two great books available on choreographing your music to your act.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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drosenbe0813 Elite user Long Island, NY 405 Posts |
I started using music years ago and have gone through various permutations of hardware. I currently use an Ipod, with the Maxell remote that Jim is selling. I have different playlists for the different shows that I do. I use music throughout the show, both as enhancements to the effects and in betweens. The music covers any number of times that otherwise would be 'dead' space, such as when I am letting the children pet my bunny, and when I am giving out magic wands. I bought a sound 't-shirt' from thinkgeek.com, so that I could cue special sound effects at any time during my show, but I have not really played with it.
I use some of Arthur Steads stuff, some of the Magic Enhancer and also Nathan Roberts. Each has different feels, which I use depending upon the routine and mood that I want to create. |
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Cesar Munoz Veteran user 370 Posts |
I'm bringing this thread back because I'm thinking of adding some music to my shows. Based on what I've read above, I'm going to start by simply adding some music to in three areas:
--Setup --In the background while I'm doing my balloon show --While I'm packing up Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions in addition to the ones above? |
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I think you're doing the right thing in targetting music initially at the places they can make the biggest impact.
Add to it when you're more confident. I started using music at the opener and for silk magic to music. Now I'm gradually adding more music, maybe at the rate of an extra track every three months.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2391 Posts |
I have found music to be extremely beneficial, even in a small birthday party show. I currently use 10 tracks of music in my Birthday Party show, many more in a stage show. I will explain all the different places I use music but let me address these concerns first:
Quote:
On 2009-03-27 06:57, kimmo wrote: I agree, it looks very unprofessional when the show comes to a halt because of this. This is how I would address that: 1. I have an extremely reliable system. (MP3 Tech) I have a remote control in my pocket and 3 back up remotes in various places. 2. When something does go wrong, I don’t miss a beat, I simply continue with the show. The audience has no idea they were supposed to hear music or a sound effect. Quote:
On 2010-02-02 16:38, LMLipman wrote: Good point. This fits my style anyway, even my ad-libs are well rehearsed. But , even with all the music I use, there are still plenty of routines and time for spontaneity. Quote:
On 2009-03-26 23:42, TRUMPETMAN wrote: Hmmm. Guilty as charged. I use some royalty free music, but sometimes I need the familiarity of a well known song to evoke the response I’m trying to get. That's all I can say about that. Here is how I use music in my Birthday Party show: 1. I play some exciting music while announcing the show is about to start. I’m currently using ‘Thriller.' This lets everyone sense something exciting is about to happen and they don't want to miss out. 2. Opening routine to music (doves, silks appear, etc.) 3. At the conclusion of the mis-made flag I play 'You’re a Grand Old Flag.' 4. At the conclusion of another routine I have a drum roll followed by “It’s a miracle” by Barry Manilow. 5. Linking rings routine done to music (this is great for breaking up the monotony. Instead of, “And here’s another trick” It gives the feeling that something different and unique is going on. 6. Later on I do the Misers Dream to music. 7. I play Jaws music during a routine to emphasize drama and apparent danger followed by triumphant music at the end of this routine to signal the danger is over. 8. If I’m doing the Flying Carpet I’ll use ‘Aladdin.’ 9. I use some sound effects during another routine. 10. My closing routine is done to music. Also, I’m currently experimenting with a puppet routine. I have found that I can simply put one of my remotes in the puppets nose with my finger on the button at all times. In other words I can turn the music or sound effect on at anytime right in front of my audience and they don’t even know it. Finally, in a stage show, I have found it very beneficial to have music playing while getting volunteers out of the audience and while they are going back to their seat. This looks very professional and eliminates dead time. Hope that helps.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2391 Posts |
Oh, I forgot, While the children are petting “Bingo” the Bunny, I play ‘Bingo’ (I know it was written about a dog, but what the heck, it works ).
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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Flymo Regular user 151 Posts |
A few years ago I used to cart along a CD player to all of my shows and perform to music and had many experiences of CD's skipping, batteries going flat ect. Of course there are much more reliable systems now, but I ended up ditching the CD player and buying an instrument (ukulele) to add an element of music into my performance. This has been great so far and really well received by both kids and parents. Also, very handy for singing happy birthday and running dancing games.
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Cesar Munoz Veteran user 370 Posts |
Magic Apprentice, Ken, Flymo,
Thanks for sharing your ideas. It's amazing to me how many opportunities there are to improve one's act with little touches here and there! I'm going to take baby steps with the music and sound effects--but your examples are very inspiring! Cheers, Cesar |
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