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mahucharn Elite user 418 Posts |
Lately, I've been trying to find a good source for learning the shell & pea game, as it seems to be a part of every magician's act. What are some good sources for learning the basic sleights/routines involved in the game? I also need a game set, so recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Mahucharn |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
I believe that the best source is the School for Scoundrels has, from what I can determine, the most complete information on the shell game available. Their DVD's are outstanding, and along with the book will give you more knowledge about the game than you'll ever need.
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pslaughter Loyal user 270 Posts |
If I were in your position I would start with Bob Sheet's 3 shell boot camp. It comes with 3 caps and some perfect peas to get you started right away. The routine is pretty good too, but most importantly it will get you accustomed to a lot of the moves you will want to use later in other routines. Check with Bob or Glenn Morphew (I'm sure I misspelled his last name). I found him here on the Café, so I'm sure you can find it here.
I started with Gary Oullett's Supershells routine years ago and it is still pretty good. I bought the props from Camirand academy and they are still holding on for me. I don't know if they still carry the props or not. SFS is the resource for everything else, kind of a one stop shop. Hope this helps. |
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
With all due respect, for a beginner to the game, the Boot Camp may be too advanced. It has almost none of the basics on it. Bob's 'Absolutely Nuts', either stand alone or included in the SFS 2 disc set, or the SFS Introduction to the 3 Shell Game is probably the way to start. I believe that if you look at the posts about the Boot Camp you'll find where you are advised to be familiar with the game before going on to this routine. Kohler's Golden Shell is also an excellent teaching tool.
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cage New user Montana 15 Posts |
I think Bob Sheet's 3 Shell Boot Camp is a great place to begin the 3 Shell Game. Not only do you learn a full sequence of moves, but they're in the context of a demo routine. The routine itself is a well-constructed, deceptive template for a more personalized presentation once the basics have been learned. Because the Boot Camp routine is a drill, it is also easy to learn. The history and theory are saved for later, when they can contextualize the various sleights that the drill teaches. Finally, if you're looking for a game set, the 3 Shell Boot Camp comes with a batch of peas and some bottle caps, which are great for practice and can be used for a contemporary presentation of the game. I loved the Boot Camp. It taught me the basics--and more--within the promised three weeks. I immediately reversed the drill and started learning "left handed" while developing my own routine.
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Glenn Morphew Elite user Chicago 486 Posts |
I believe Bob's 3 Shell Boot Camp is the way to go too. It's the exact method Bob recommended I use to learn the shell game and I was also starting at square one. I didn't have the benefit of the DVD either, Bob just talked me through his One Minute Routine while I watched it on his website. Because of the spaced repetitions I was getting every day, eight days later I could do the drill in my sleep.
I think what we refer to as "advanced" moves for the 3 shell game are relatively easy compared to learning many coin and card sleights. If you do the drill as Bob recommends, you will most certainly pick up the skill set and you will have a tool box full of moves rather that just one or two. You will also get an understanding of the importance of good rhythm and tempo when you move the shells around the surface. There are many excellent routines that just require the basic pinch steal and load, but when you graduate from boot camp you will not only be able to perform all of those routines with ease and confidence, you will also have the tools to develop your own patterns and routines if you wish. One of the big advantages I had when I learned the game was that I didn't have the encumbrance of prior knowledge and I was starting at the top of what came before me. I'm certainly glad this was the way I learned the shell game. Glenn
Visit www.povmagician.com for
The Rub-a-dub Deluxe Suite The Morphew One Hand Top Palm Bob's 3 Shell Boot Camp and more... |
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panlives Inner circle 2087 Posts |
Be aware - Bob's 3 Shell Boot Camp is seriously addictive. I have been making an effort NOT to do my drill five times each evening, but it is simply too much fun. I now do the drill at work – best lunch hours in years! I believe it is ok for a beginner.
Of course, anything from the School for Scoundrels is fantastic. The SFS beginner stuff is really and truly excellent. You can spend time finding a (very) few other worthy source materials, but why waste your time? If print is your preferred medium, “All in a Nutshell,” by Frank Garcia is superb but rare and expensive to acquire. I have corresponded with fellow magi who are taking on the shells for the first time and there seems to be a consensus that learning with heavier shells helps. Can anyone validate or refute this based on personal early learning experiences?
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
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Tom Fenton Inner circle Leeds, UK (but I'm Scottish) 1477 Posts |
Bob Kohler's "Golden Shells" is a good routine to start with.
"But there isn't a door"
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
LOVE "Boot Camp" and, yes, addictive! I really do not feel it is "too advanced" for anyone who wants to learn this great routine...
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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MickeyPainless Inner circle California 6065 Posts |
I DID have some prior knowledge (The Scoundrels Touch) when I started Boot Camp yet I wasn't doing much with it. I too think Boot Camp will get ya up and running faster and at the end you WILL have the chops to create your own (although I'm pretty hooked on Glenn's routine)!
The combo of the S4S work and Boot Camp is as good as it gets in my book but again, I think Boot Camp would be my personal suggestion for a start! Now as far as a set of shells and the peas to use.... The S4S Street shells and the Perfect Pea IMO is second to none! Have fun with it! MMc |
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DrSammy New user Greater Toronto Area 52 Posts |
I'm usually one who prefers books, but even I have to say that I think the Boot Camp and SFS DVDs are your best bets right now. They're both thorough and thoroughly helpful.
Bob's Boot Camp is a great resource. The only reservation I have about recommending it is that now that I have a routine that I like, I don't want others using it. (Be warned, panlives - If you perform the routine at Browser's, I will be seriously upset. ;-) ) The first SFS DVD is great for learning the basics, and is probably the way to go if you want to learn a simple "traditional" routine. The second DVD will help you develop that into a more mature routine. If you want a good grounding in a variety of moves and a some general theory, you'll want these DVDs. As mentioned above, Bob's Boot Camp comes with the bottle caps and perfect peas you'll need to perform. The SFS material does not come with any shells. I like the SFS street shells, though you may find them a little light. The La Maggiore shells are nice, and they are heavier than the street shells, but they are fairly big. I've not tried the Black Fox shells, though I understand they're very good. I would suggest that you stay away from metal shells initially. I've found that they're a little harder to grip, making learning the basics more difficult. Whichever shells (or bottle caps) you use, you'll find that your hands will become accustomed to them as you practice. For your peas, I'd recommend using the SFS Perfect Peas. They're a good size and have a nice grip on performing surfaces. They can also be switched out for non-working peas if you want them to be examinable. I've tried latex coated sponge peas. I liked them because they had fantastic compressability, but they lacked the table grip that the perfect peas have. Of course, you can always use a knotted rubber band or other homemade pea, but I wouldn't recommend that to start. DrSammy
Many an ancient lord's last words had been, "You can't kill me because I've got magic aaargh." -- Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
On the subject of shells, I just took the plunge and ordered a set of Shagbark Hickory shells. Won't use them, though, until I graduate from the 3 Shell Boot Camp... talk about incentive!
Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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panlives Inner circle 2087 Posts |
Hi Shellers,
I did not see any replies to my question, so I am asking again: “I have corresponded with fellow magi who are taking on the shells for the first time and there seems to be a consensus that learning with heavier shells helps. Can anyone validate or refute this based on personal early learning experiences?”
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
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DrSammy New user Greater Toronto Area 52 Posts |
Pan,
I don't think that the question is the right one. If you're learning (and practicing regularly), you'll find that you quickly become used to your 'training shells', regardless of what they weigh or how they are shaped. That's part of the learning process. Certainly, it will be easier to learn with a well-made set, but 'easier' is not always the sames as 'more-effective'. Personally, I started with a second-hand set of shells and a latex covered foam pea. The shells had a slightly higher profile than the SFS street shells. They were also about twoce as heavy. The pea was about twice the size of the perfect pea and much more compressible. Later, when I switched to the SFS products, it took some time to adjust since my hands weren't accustomed to the new shapes and weights. Similarly, when I started using the Boot Camp bottle caps or playing with the La Maggiore products, I had to adjust again. I honestly don't think that starting with heavier shells made my life any easier, but I don't think it made things harder either. What made things easier was taking the time and effort to master whichever shells I was using at the time. I think what is more helpful than weight when learning is the shape of the shells. Shells and peas that are specifically developed for the shell game have the little 'enhancements' that make life easier. The Chanin Dip is the most obvious one. Learning without these is harder, but also means that you are equipped with the skills necessary to use a wider variety of props. Also, I think that small shells are harder to use and large shells tend to be easier. This ties in with Bob & Glenn's assertion on the Boot Camp DVD that learning with shells that have a small circumference, like the bottle caps, is like perfecting your aim with a small target. When you later try to hit a large target (read: use larger shells), it seems easier. This means that if you start to learn with street shells, you start learning under the less challenging conditions than someone who starts with smaller shells without the enhancements, like bottle caps. You will probably start working much faster, but may have to work harder later on to master shells without the enhancements. The person who begins under the challenging conditions will have less difficulty moving to other props. Following this line of thought, we're no longer asking whether learning with heavier shells helps. We're asking whether it makes sense to start learning with the easier products so that we can then move on to the harder ones as we get better, or whether we should start with the more challenging products so that we have a less demanding learning curve with the easier proudcts. There are good arguments for both methods, though I think I prefer the latter for myself. DrSammy
Many an ancient lord's last words had been, "You can't kill me because I've got magic aaargh." -- Terry Pratchett, Interesting Times
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jakeg Inner circle 1741 Posts |
A lot also depends on your own physical make up. Because my hands are dry, I had trouble learning to pick up the street shells, although I finally learned. I still can't pick them up between my fingers other than my index finger & thumb. I just got a set of Shagbarks, and they've solved that problem. I really like them. I also find them easier to handle than the others that I have. (I have about 6 different sets if you include the bottle caps.) Personally, I prefer the lighter shells, and although I find the Golden's too heavy for me, a lot of pretty good magicians use, and aparently prefer them.
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
The lighter shells are better for some moves, like the Escobar move with all three shells in the fingers of one hand or the Chanin Master Move. The heavy shells are easier for things like the Kick Steal, and work better under the shot glass.
A lot depends on the size of the hand, and the type of surface the performer is working on. I prefer heavy shells myself, and almost always use the Colorado Silver Shells, which are heavier than the Golden Shells. I am currently working a gig for Cisco in which my live performance is broadcast to HD TV screens in malls around the country. The Silver Shells flare too much in video, so I am using the Black Fox plastic Master Shells. They look very good on TV, and are big enough for them to stand out clearly as walnut shells. They also have a Chanin Dip and are properly shaped, and I like them very much. But they are big and difficult to carry around in walk-around. For that I use our S4S Street Shells. They can be carried in the side coat pocket with a couple of peas, and they don't weigh down the jacket. |
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MadUncleAndy New user Deep in the Heart of Darkest America 68 Posts |
Quote:
The Silver Shells flare too much in video, so I am using the Black Fox plastic Master Shells. Just out of curiosity, why did you go with them instead of the coppers? Just the size? Those copper shells of yours look great on video also. |
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panlives Inner circle 2087 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-11-30 15:27, Whit Haydn wrote: Hi Whit, Thank you. Can you let us know the how the SFS Brass Shells and Antique Copper Shells compare to the Colorado Silver Shells, in terms of weight?
"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"
"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time." "The dog did nothing in the night-time." "That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes. |
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Whit Haydn V.I.P. 5449 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-11-30 16:36, MadUncleAndy wrote: The copper do look great on video, but the circumstances I am working under require me to do as little patter as possible, and nothing in the way of an introduction. The bigger, painted Black Fox shells read as real walnuts on the HD screen, and require no explanation. The angle of the camera to the table is from high and far, so the higher shells help ameliorate the bad angle. Panlives: The Colorado Silver Shells are very heavy, and the solid brass shells almost as heavy. Both of these sets ring like a bell. The Golden Shells are pewter, so they are almost as heavy as the other two, but have a dull sound when hit. |
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MadUncleAndy New user Deep in the Heart of Darkest America 68 Posts |
Quote:
the solid brass shells almost as heavy.... And the patter opportunites... |
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