Hi everyone,

I was just wondering whether your opinions when performing something like a switch/pass/any other sleight: Is it more of an attribute to have the move totally down so it so quick that the audience will never work out what you just did, or is it more important to take your time and get the action smooth?
I suppose some might say get it smooth and the speed will come.

Cheers

PT

Some will say (which is not my standpoint) that you don't have to do the sleights either smoothly or fast. Just misdirect.

Last week, I watched a fellow from our club doing a spread pass ... he really turned his back on the audience (seated at the table) and did the move. Horrible! Buy yourself a svengali deck if you can't control a card without turning 180°. Got me really angry.

Best, Chris

I think smoothness is more important. Imagine how much stronger an effect is when it is done slowly. Rene Lavand's performance on one of the magic specials, where he emphasizes how slow he's performing the effect, is one such example.

I've seen magicians who move very fast (and often talk fast as well) who think they're "fooling" the audience. I've also heard audience members marvel at how fast the performer is. They don't know what he did exactly, but they know that his hands waving quickly back and forth was covering it up.

Mike

Hey PT,
Unless the move is something that relies on inertia, then I don't think the speed of the move should step outside the flow of the routine. If the routine is a slow intimate routine, any fast move will draw enormous attention. Equally, during a fast paced performace, slowing down to do something "smoothly" would also look out of place.

I agree with greenshock, take it at the flow of the effect... longer tricks should be taken slowly but a nice quick effect never hurt anyone!

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I think that Greenshock pretty much has got the best idea, I shall take heed of that when I next perform.

PT

Both are of equal importance to me. I find it hard to be smooth unless I first take some speed.
The Rev Dr. Bob

I would go with the above, the moves should all be of an equal speed and nothing should look different.

The old saying "The quickness of the hand deceives the eye." is wrong.

It would be more correct to say, "The Quickness of the hand ATTRACTS the eye."


Andy

But don't forget the quickness of the hand DOES deceive the eye, which is why you see so many people walking about with black eyes..

I think it depends on the move. Some passes rely on speed even though well covered, but I think moves like that are in the minority.
Timing for moves is generally not about speed but naturalness.

I tend to give a slow, relaxed everything above board approach as against the more snappy, flash approach that seems to be getting popular. But then, I tended to rush through tricks as a teenager too.

Paul Hallas.

I look at it like a shave. Would you rather have fast or smooth?

Interesting how so many people think smooth means slow. 'Tis not always the case.

A fast shave Tom, but I look like Sweeney Todd did the job after, lol.

I refered to my own slow style, but am certainly not confusing slowness with smoothness.

Everything should look clean, cleanliness is next to Godliness

Paul.

Smooth, every time! Unless I'm second dealing or doing the pass! Besides, too fast and the audience can't cop what you're meant to be doing, presentation-wise!

If you perform something too slow and one of the audience is watching your hands is it possible they may actually work out how you are manipulating the cards?




Cheers

PT

It needs to be fast and smooth enough not to be seen. Unless you want the slight of hand to be seen that is...

If you use misdirection they might not see the move, but otherwise, yes, they might see the manipulation.

If you have a move tht has been practised to perfection then it shouldn't even be visible to a magician (or is that setting my sights to high!?). Good luck, you'll find the right speed for yourself!

I follow John Carney's and Tommy Wonder's advice that a secret move should always be performed "in the shade of something more interesting". A move should be psychological invisible, it needn't be literal invisible.

Also Roger Klause's theory of "half-moves" comes to mind. If a sleight arouses suspicion because it is to involved, try cutting it in sub-sleights.

Doesn't have to be...see Rene Levand.

I don't think smooth means slow.I think smooth means undetectable,I'll take smooooth any time