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Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
Sorry to start another thread about 13 Steps to Mentalism by Corinda but.....
I know this is considered to be the Bible of Mentalism (if I may be so bold), but could someone give me, not an in depth but geting that way, review of it? Or at least point me in the right direction to finding a good review. I know roughly what it covers but how does it cover these subjects, are they easy to master etc.? Thank you, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
Sean Lough Loyal user NYC 214 Posts |
Alex --
Two reasons to buy it: 1) Every mental performer has a copy in his library--there MUST be a reason. 2) It costs less than Max Maven's color series (if you can find them), but is just as comprehensive in scope. I honestly believe that you could buy this book and no other and still make a career out of mentalism. It's been well-discussed, but the book is a step-by-step guide to mastering the "basics" of mentalism. You can put on an entire evening's performance using just the material in the first chapters. I'm living proof. Corinda walks you through everything: billets, peeks, lip reading, pencil reading, etc. then embelishes and suggests performance tips and routining. So he teaches the effect, then gives you several options as to how to use it. Later in the book explains much larger stunts that take more than a weekend's practice and plently of gall. There is tons of solo stuff as well as partner work you can use. How does he cover these subjects? Very well. Good explanations and illustrations throughout. Some are easy to master, most will take practice to perfect before performing for an audience (i.e. some of the billet work). Again -- do yourself a favor, quit waffling and get yourself a copy. I get no money from the Corinda family, nor do I have a side business in selling magic books. S. |
Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
Thank you Sean, this was pretty much what I was looking for.
But more posts always welcome. Another thing to add, does any one know where I can get hold of a copy in the uk? From a secure online uk magic book shop? My normal people oddly don't have it. Thank you, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
rgranville Elite user Boston area 463 Posts |
When I first read Corinda, I thought every magician should read this book whether or not he's interested in mentalism. The insights on presentation are invaluable and applicable to everyone.
I'm surprised your normal people don't have it. It's still in print and widely available in the States for $25. If you'd like some American sites where you can buy it, let me know. The dollar's weak - now's your chance! |
Pekka Special user Finland 560 Posts |
It is not the easiest book to find anymore. But certainly not hardest either. Jbtv.co.uk has copies for £18 if I remember correctly. Also Davenports is selling Corinda. Davenports has a lot of books still in stock which are out of print or hard to find in the U.K.
As Sean said, buy the book, stop mincing around. You will not regret it. |
Jim Reynolds Elite user Special Guest 431 Posts |
I will reiterate what Sean said about it being a step-by-step guide to learning the basics. It should be studied like a course from beginning to end. Not to be skimmed like a magic book looking for cool effects.
You can also find new/used copies on e-bay. jr |
Sean Lough Loyal user NYC 214 Posts |
Alex--
Glad to be able to help -- as the book helped me, I'm happy to pass along the favor. Best of luck! S. |
Dr Omni Regular user UK 199 Posts |
Keith Bennett in Birmingham usually has copies of most magic and mentalism books from both the UK and the US. His prices are usually lower than other UK retailers, and he has a vast knowledge of the subject as well as being a very friendly and helpful guy.
The only "problem" with Corinda (if one can use that word with such a masterpiece) is that UK retailers keep getting shipments from the US publishers, but there always seems to be a mass of back orders from customers, so the books are sold almost as soon as they arrive and those who didn't get their copy are left waiting for another shipment. |
Graham_Salisbury New user UK 68 Posts |
You'll also find that the Magic Books by Post sell it.
In fact for those of us in the UK they sell pretty much everything. http://magicbooksbypost.org/ |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
You mentioned "easy to master" ... if you are really interested in learning, lose that notion. It takes a concentrated effort to achieve naturalness, smoothness and personality as a performer. Looking for a faster, easier way will demand the least amount of effort—-we see this in in manufacturing all the time-—the easiest way is the cheapest way, which is the most profitable way—-so some of us search for a method of doing things the easy way, which may apply to other areas of business, but not here.
With your art you should take that extra bit, that extra care, that extra push for it to be clearly effective. 13 Steps to Mentalism is a book to be cherished, along with a number of other ones out there. Get it, study it ... and keep reading.
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
Thank you all for your help.
I will be geting this and studying it. I just wanted to hear your opinions and what the books like youve all done this very well, I guess you get this question alot. -Alexandre I agree, and I shouldnt have said easy to master, because its not realy what I ment. What I did mean, however, was if I read, no corection studyed it, would I understand how to peek, do billets, lip read etc. but thank you, most helpfull and your the first one to say "keep reading", most others seem to whant me to stop dead on 13 steps. Thank you all again, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
Dr Omni Regular user UK 199 Posts |
The thing to do is to master the various skills taught by Corinda, and then create an act of no more than 15 minutes from what you've learned and what you can perform best. Then actually perform that act to friends, family, and members of your local magic club or other group you belong to. Take note of their responses during the act and what they say about it afterwards. (Be aware that mentalism can very easily come across as being boring if it's too long, too slow, too complicated for the audience to easily follow, poorly executed from a technical point of view, or does not connect with the audience's emotions.) If you can, perform it in front of several small, informal audiences, just to get used to it.
In the light of that experience, you can then tweak the act to give it greater audience impact. I would recommend that only then do you start reading some of the mass of other mentalist material. Although much of that material is excellent, each perfomer who wrote it (or was videoed doing it) has developed an individual style that works well for him, not necessarily for everyone. Each of them has formed an opinion on the hoary old mentalism questions of: - playing cards or no playing cards; - disclaimer, convincer or "you decide"; - many props, few props or no props; - get everything right or make some errors; and countless others. There can be no generally valid answer to these or other debates. Each performer finds his own answer to them. The problem with reading masses of books, manuscripts and articles and watching numerous videos and DVDs is that you get many contradictory approaches which can be confusing until you've actually performed mentalism a few times. So start with Corinda, perform your act, and only then gradually read and view the other material, deciding what in it could be made to work best for your act. |
ALEXANDRE Inner circle 3024 Posts |
I agree with the Dr. but I have seen a few students who read 13 steps and think they know it all. So keep reading, and by all means keep performing! With dedication, you can become a great perfomer.
HERE'S A SECRET ...
http://www.lybrary.com/mystic-alexandre-m-354.html |
Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
Thank you Dr. Omni, that's one of the best pieces of advice Ive had so far., I will take it on bored.
And once again thank you Alexanre, I wont get cockey. Many thanks, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
Dr Omni Regular user UK 199 Posts |
Least I can do. When I first got into mentalism, I fell into the trap of reading and watching so much that I had no idea where to start or how to proceed, and spent a long time just reading and watching videos as a peculiar form of intellectual entertainment, without actually performing.
Of course, when you've mastered Corinda you don't know it all, but you've certainly made a start. Also, the mentalist should take advantage of unexpected situations. Can it be a coincidence, for instance, that Alexandre and Alexander have such similar names? |
Alexander Regular user UK 124 Posts |
I love these kind oh "unexpected situations" and "coincidence", does day-ja-vew (spelling) count?
More posts welcome, Alex
The Man Who Knows (how to make a good cup of Tea)
Mentalism - Philosophy. the doctrine that mind is the fundamental reality and that objects of knowledge exist only as aspects of the subject's consciounes. |
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