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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
For those who think rings are lame, or just haven't gotten around to working on really good routine yet, I want to pass on this quick ring story.
A friend of mine has a little magic shop indoors at a large local flea market. He gets good traffic, and I hang around there ocassionally just to chat. I also work a pitch outside there. Anyway, I was standing off in the corner, with my rings (3 10" rings) so I don't interfere with him doing business, and a family stopped, parents, and two kids, and the magician behind the counter begin talking with them and showing them a variety of things. After each one, the father would offer a commentary, "I know how that works". So the wife would say what do you want to see, and he said, I want to see the rings. I was not really paying attention as I was focused on my friend showing them various different effects. Finally they bought a zig zag card for the boy, and were about to leave. Then the wife asked the husband, "Did you see everything you wanted?", and he boldly looked at me and said NO. I want to see the RINGS! I awoke from my slumber, and said OH, you mean these rings? And he said yes. So I went into my "3 ring circus" routine (based on Chris Capeharts moves) and jaws were dropping. And when I got done, the wife said to him; Do you know how that is done. And he said "NO, I don't have a clue. That was downright amazing!" and they thanked me profusely and left. I thought to myself, all I have heard is that rings are overexposed, etc. etc. Right.................! So if you don't think rings play big, maybe you just don't have the right routine yet. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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GlenD Inner circle LosAngeles, Ca 1293 Posts |
That is an inspiring story BroDavid! Thanks for sharing it. I read and sort of identify with what people sometimes say about ring routines. But everytime i see them done well, I am impressed and enjoy it.
I don't own any rings yet (10", ninja whatever) but I plan on it eventually. I recently attended the Ogawa/Robbins lecture and saw the ninja ring routine by the man himself. I want to get around to it one of these days. It is sometimes hard to keep self discipline in properly learning one or 2 effects at a time and not go off in too many directions. GlenD
"A miracle is something that seems impossible but happens anyway" - Griffin
"Any future where you succeed, is one where you tell the truth." - Griffin (Griffin rocks!) |
Frank Tougas Inner circle Minneapolis, MN 1712 Posts |
The Linking Rings are spectacular in the eyes of laymen. It is not only the trick I do that is commented on the most, but gets spontaneous applause, without having to say that dismal magician's phrase, "Thank you very much." when obviously no one is applauding.
I have heard it said on these forums that it is no longer magical once the first link is achieved, or that it is obvious one of the rings has a "key". I don't agree at all. Each link and unlink gets all the more facinating, and intellectually baffling. That is assuming you have done them in the context of a decent routine. As for obvious, I have had people come up and tell me their son has a small set (Adams)and they know how those are done, but it was clear to them my set worked much differently. Mine looked like magic, theirs, like a trick. The rings are truly a classic because they contain all the proper elements for entertainment. They contain the elements of dexterity, presentation, and mystery. Surely a factor in their longentivity.
Frank Tougas The Twin Cities Most "Kid Experienced" Children's Performer :"Creating Positive Memories...One Smile at a Time"
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BroDavid Inner circle America’s North Coast, Ohio 3176 Posts |
Glen, I have a full set of 8" rings, 3-10" rings, a 12 inch set of 3 Klamm locking rings, a custom 16" set of 2 rings, and I just got a set of Ninja rings. (surrprisingly the crash link works great on the ninja 5" rings) I am working on a routine with them, that borrows from the Capehart rings, and takes from Shoot Ogawa's moves as well but kicks the tempo up a bit.
I owned the 8" set for about 10 years before I ever performed any kind of ring routine. But once I found a couple of routines I could get into (Cellini's Lord and Master of the Rings got me started, I used the 16" rings, and I just love it for it's elegance..) but I only performed it publicly about twice. The situation, and my mood just weren't right for it. But when I discoverd Chris Capehart's routine, I was hooked. It just works so "In your face", and fits my style so well, that I hardly go anywhere without my rings now. And I can do a show for 10 minutes with nothing but nonstop ring action and never need to break out another effect. I catch the crowd, draw more, and perform and close with nothing but rings. More and more I am finding that people are curious about those big silver rings. And I love it. I can stand on a corner with my rings, and draw a crowd without even doing much. At a recent magic club meeting, I was asked to do my ring routine for a group who was new and visiting there. So I went into it, and I just created a new routine as I went that addressed their specific intrerests (it was a Church youth group of perfromers) and I did routine about sin, and how we think we are all together (the circle), and sin can't get in because we go to church, etc, and Wham - I linked, and so on for about 10 minutes. After the meeting, my magic mentor, a guy who has been doing magic progfessionally far longer than me, came over and said, let me see that again. and I gave a quick teach-in, showing him all the moves, the links, the unlinks, etc. He finally said "man, this isn't hard!" And he was right. It isn't hard. But you just have to know how to do it. And then you have to do it. A couple of tips to my friend after he started, and he was doing it (from a techincal standpoint) as well as I do it. He still needs a routine, but he has teh moves now. It really ins't too hard at all. I hear great things about Whit Haydens Comedy ring routine, And I love Chris Capehart's routine. I have no doubt there are more good ones out there too. Find a routine that fits your style, grab your rings and go for it. And Frank, you are right on! If the routine works, it doesn't matter how many times you link and unlink. I link and unlink many, many times in a routine (up to once for each audience member) and I keep them going, by telling them how impossible it is! I show them the rings, and let them feel where I will link, to make sure it is solid, go ahead, check both rings...., and WHAM, I do it! And they never see it! Sudenly the rings are linked! I have added a couple of additional little flourishes to give it time to settle in, (WOW, It just linked where it cant link!) and then - Whossh - the ring is off, and at that point I actually can get them to agree that it must have never really been on there, since that would be impossible... and since I suddenly have it off, and they never see that happen either, so they don't know if it was really on or not ......and then I am on the next person. Whenever someone talks about the opening in the rings (rare, but it happens), if they are particularly obnoxious or insistent, after I play around with them a bit, relative to them meaning the big opening in the middle, but if they don't go along iwth the program, I show them the key, and then say I will make it even more impossible - by holding my hand over that small opening... (I got this from Chris Capehart too..) and then I go off into the show, and they quickly forget there really is a key ring, because it never seems to come into play. Simple magic is the best magic. And the rings are simply good magic. BroDavid
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.
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David Todd Inner circle 2328 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-08-10 13:46, Frank Tougas wrote: I've heard tell of an old time pro (the name slips my mind at the moment) who would openly show a key ring before starting his routine , say something about this silly thing being a toy trick out of a kids magic set, and with a slight sneer toss it off stage . He would then proceed to do the Rings and completely fool the audience who just knew he wouldn't stoop to the level of using a kids "toy" version of the effect . I have no idea if this is true or merely a magic urban legend . |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
I would never work without doinig my routine with the rings... I have three different routines, depending on the situation.
1: A five ring comedy/talking version 2: A four ring Perverse with a couple of original items 3: Al Koran's three ring routine I would learn Whit's but he does it and I feel it is his and even though marketed, not fair game in his territory. I might add, Whit and I have worked on the same shows and both did our versions with no conflict and both went over as they always do, very well.
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I do three ring routines.
1) My variation of Lewis Ganson's routine 2) Whit's 4 ring routine 3) A three ring routine I've also just come up with a new routine that I'm very excited about. I've got the moves worked out and am currently writing the script. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Don't think it's been done this way before. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Tom Frank V.I.P. industrial Strength Magic 493 Posts |
I am partial to the Jack Miller 5 Ring Routine. With poetic patter, it is beautiful, graceful and magical. I love it!
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Kozmo V.I.P. 5473 Posts |
Tom.
Private me your phone number. koz |
Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I have three routines as well:
1) Three-ring comedy routine that I do most often 2) "Seven with Five"--a seven-ring routine done with five rings (figure THAT one out) 3) An abbreviated close up routine with small rings, based on Mr. Yanigida's (the forerunner of Fleshman's and Shoot's routines) Any time I hear a magician say that the rings are lame and laymen don't like them, I want to bring them to one of my shows where I get laughs, applause and even standing O's sometimes for my ring routine. If I have a spot on a variety show where I only have time for one routine, I do the Linking Rings!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
Ignore me... Loyal user 230 Posts |
I've been thinking about developing a linking rope routine, so I've been relearning the various raw ring routines, to broaden my ring vocabulary before making the jump.
It's nice to see most of the sources I consider classic have shown up in this thread. However, I have to ask, Pete, should I know what a 4-ring Perverse is, or will you merely suggest I find a book by George B.? |
RandomEffects Veteran user Boston, MA 323 Posts |
I always use My own 4 ring routine that involves no key ring. It great on all those people that "know how its done" as I can hand out the rings for examination at most any point in the routine, and later on I can switch in the key ring to really baffle them later.
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-08-23 12:28, Tom Frank wrote: Isn't there a new DVD that teaches this wonderful, rarely seen routine?
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
I used to do the David Ginn comedy routine... the kids seemed to like it!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
A long, long time ago, when the Texas Renaissance Festival was just a couple of years old, and Harry Anderson was a mere mortal with extraordinary powers, he was performing the rings at the Globe Theatre. He did a ring count where his assistant (not Lesley) tossed the rings to him from across the stage. His asistant blew the toss on the key ring and it landed short of Harry. There was the key sitting out in the open for all to see. He looked at it, said "This one is broken; get another one," and tossed it back to her. She went backstage, counted to three, came back and said, "I think this one is okay," and threw the same key ring back to him.
That was good thinking on both their parts.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
Yes, the rings are great. The key has always been the problem and with the masked idiot exposing it, has become more of a pain. Yes, limited routines can be performed without the key but not as effective as with one. Yes, we have locking rings, some easy to use, some not so easy and I prefer to work with a large gap so locking rings are out. So until a decent plausable switch comes my way, that small doubt will remain with me during performance.
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Cabrera Special user Seattle 513 Posts |
I have a Comedy 4 Ring Routine with some funny impersonations and a final magical climax. The routine is a derived from Aldo Colombini and Whit Haydn with original comedy patter. Always a highlight in my act.
"The quilt of life is woven with many different threads"
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24312 Posts |
I do an original three ring routine which was marketed by Mid-America Magic many years ago. There are some original moves in it. I featured it in my Renaissance Act for years.
The rings I actually use are 12 inch Owen rings -- one normal, one O/S and a locking K**. It runs one minute and 55 seconds. Audiences love it. What else can I say? Here's a hint, though. If you perform in conditions where you have a head on follow spot (unusual on the street, for sure), do NOT polish the rings. The Owen rings are stainless steel, and with usage, they acquire a matte finish. I noticed at a magician's convention, that every time anyone did a ring routine with highly polished rings, all you could really see were two points of light reflecting off the sides of the rings. You couldn't see the rings themselves. So I let my rings acquire a slightly matte finish through usage. From a few feet, they look great. And you can see the actual rings under spotlighting.
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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