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shanla Loyal user Japan, Tokyo 285 Posts |
As far as I know, there are two categories of top change. One is a classic change, and the other is hofzinser's.
Usually I like classic one. In my opinion, one of the best sources to learn this sleight is "Card Magic of LePaul". What is your favorite text of this sleight? Or, does anyone like Hofzinser's rather than the classic one? Any responces will be appriciated. Tomoo
http://www.cardcoinmagic.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/tomosanb?feature=mhee Strive to enter in by the narrow door. |
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Doug Conn Loyal user 212 Posts |
The method described in Williamson's Wonders is Fantastic. Check the Torn and Restored Transposition routine (also described on his Sleight of Dave vid.)
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
Get Steven Youell's new DVD and you will see the REAL WORK...
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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ChessMess Veteran user 311 Posts |
I'm learning this for the first time from RRTCM. Dunno how it compares to others though... hopefully its still good.
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Paul Chosse V.I.P. 1955 - 2010 2389 Posts |
The so-called "Hofzinser Top Change" is grossly abused, and badly misunderstood. Considering the exquisite artistry evident in all of Hofzinsers' work, it is hard to imagine that he would resort to the snapping, flapping, annoyingly obvious cover that most magicians insultingly ascribe to him. A careful review of Hofzinser would be in order before you attempt the top change that is purportedly his. On to other things...
The standard top change. There are numerous descriptions available. One of the better explanations is, as I recall, in "Revelations". Vernon gives some tips on the timing and blocking for the top change that are right on the mark. Things like which hand should move and which should remain stationary, what motivates the moving hand, the finger position for the change, etc. are addressed. I don't have "Revelations" to hand, so I hope I am referencing the right source. Either way, it is the Vernon "touches" that are important. If not in "Revelations" then somewhere else, but definitely Vernons', and definitely in print somewhere. I'll check tonight and amend this post if I am in error, and in the meantime maybe someone else can wiegh in on sources. One of the major differences in descriptions of the standard top change is the way the right hand holds the card(s). Some texts advocate starting with the card between the first two fingers, others with the card between the thumb and forefinger. The best method is with the card between the thumb and forefinger, and the card to be changed sliding under the card being held, so the switch is done all between the thumb and forefinger, the card never changing position in the right hand. This method eliminates an obvious difference in the position of the card in the hand, or, if you are doing the change and then switching the card from one finger position to another, eliminates the extra movement. There is a push/pull movement of the right thumb and forefinger that makes this switch fast and easy. So, there is the movement of the right fingers to effect the switch. Then, there is the movement of the right hand TO the deck. Also to be considered is blocking. This is what you do so that it appears that the hands never come together. If the right hand approaches a stationary left hand, does the change, and then the LEFT hand moves away, the right hand going "dead", the effect is that the hands never came together at all. The left hand needs to be still until the switch, then the right goes "dead" and the left moves. The left hand moves to pick up the card box, or to move a glass closer to set the card on top of the glass, or to lean it against the glass, something that motivates the left hand moving. Also to be considered - the left hands' part in the actual change. The left thumb pushes the top card to the right and under the card in the right hand. This is not done until the right hands card is almost flush with the deck. All in all the timing is the thing with a top change. I am all over the place with this description, giving various pointers without really trying to do it in sequence, but you get the idea. Anyway, if there is interest I'll attempt a better description. Frank Shields, a wonderful California bartender, did the best top change ever. In fact, it was so good that Vernon used to bring guys to Oakland just to see Franks' top change... Best, PSC
"You can't steal a gift..." Dizzy Gillespie
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Cameron Roat Special user Michigan 728 Posts |
I believe the "Vernonesque" Top Change of which Mr. Chosse speaks can be found in Further Inner Secrets of Card Magic, Ganson, p. 63
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bumbleface Elite user 434 Posts |
Gosh, the top change is fun. Its always been a fear of mine to do in front of people, but I recently just started doing it. Man, you should see the reaction when the cards changes!
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Mike Powers Inner circle Midwest 2983 Posts |
Gary Kurtz does something interesting with the top change. He allows gravity to cause the deck to bevel to the right and then places his left thumb fairly far to the right. So far that it becomes incapable of moving further to the right. At the moment of the change, he pulls his left fingers inward effectively pulling the deck away from the top card and leaving it sidejogged for the change. I think the idea is that the left thumb doesn't move to push the card to the right for the change.
Mike
Mike Powers
http://www.mallofmagic.com |
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shanla Loyal user Japan, Tokyo 285 Posts |
Humm.. I might misunderstand Hofzinser's top change. Anyway, the only one detailed explanation that I had read about this sleight is one in "Cy Endfield's Entertaining Card Magic".
As for the standard top change, I begin with a card between my thumb and index finger, and end with the switched card between my index and second finger, as explained in Lepaul's book. I know it is illogical, but I feel better doing so. As for the hands motion, I had better holding my right hand still throghout the change, rather than moving toward left hand. I had not studied Vernon's thinking yet, so I would learn his works on top change. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Tomoo
http://www.cardcoinmagic.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/tomosanb?feature=mhee Strive to enter in by the narrow door. |
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Mike Powers Inner circle Midwest 2983 Posts |
Shanla,
I'd advise you to re-read Mr. Chosse's post. He knows what he's talking about. And these details about timing and hand movement make ALL the difference in making the top change deceptive. Also, if nothing else, I would give up any method that leaves the card between different fingers after the change. Mike
Mike Powers
http://www.mallofmagic.com |
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ChessMess Veteran user 311 Posts |
Any chance someone could post a vid somewhere (sleightgeek, magicvideodepot, watchmagic) of a well executed top change?
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nycmagic New user New York, NY 54 Posts |
Andrew Galloway discusses Al Koran's handling of the color change on the first volume of the Ramsay lecture videos.
Jeremy |
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saturnin Special user Montreal, Canada 964 Posts |
Similar to Mr Powers' advice (for the Gary Kurtz's Top Change) I would also suggest the Gary Ouellet's "Slider Top Change" which is explained in details on his "Deadly Close-Up Weapons" video.
This Top Change also uses gravity, as the deck is inclined and you...... Have a look! Ronnie Lemieux Montreal Canada
There is no road to happiness,
happiness is the road! |
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Mr. X Elite user U.K. 440 Posts |
As you asked for an example in text form, I suggest obtaining E.Burgers book "Mastering the Art of Magic" as it has a wonderful series of drawings of Eugene performing this essential sleight. Along with the explanation, this makes it one of the clearest descriptions of the Top Change in card literature.
So much to do. So little time.
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Vasilis Regular user Greece 146 Posts |
Quote
-------------------------------------------- On 2003-10-02 09:23, ChessMess wrote: Any chance someone could post a vid somewhere (sleightgeek, magicvideodepot, watchmagic) of a well executed top change? -------------------------------------------- Take a look at Mr.Youell's site,here: www.cardguy.net In The Faro CD,Previews section, there is a demo about Top Change,excellent executed by Mr.Steven Youell. Hope that helps you. |
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dchung Special user Montreal 616 Posts |
In his Faro CD, Steven gives a lot of great pointers and does an excellent and smooth top change. Note that he uses the thumb-forefinger grip that Paul is advocating.
That being said, Paul, I would still love to hear more of your thoughts on the top change. Cheers, Derrick |
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Beetroot Loyal user 267 Posts |
I'll join the discussion as I've been experimenting with the top change over the past couple of weeks without following any particular instruction - just trying to get a nice smooth feel.
I find that if I hold the card in my right hand - thumb on top, index and middle finger lightly gripping below (ie. the way I hold a single face-down card anyway) I can get a nice change by using the middle finger to contact the other card. I just noticed that I have slightly increased pressure between the middle finger and thumb compared to the thumb and index finger, which is in more of a supporting role in that it simply rests in a natural grip-like position under the card. Note that the middle finger contacts across the length of the end phalanx (ie. not just the tip). In this way, I find that my hands are always in a natural position and the end of the middle finger (being longer than the index finger) is closer to the deck in the left hand, meaning that I can contact the replacement card much more easily. There is nothing awkward or even "fishy" about the move that follows which is a smooth push/pull motion with the thumb. I can't really comprehend holding the switched card between the index and middle finger since there is little problem in using the original grip. I know that I need to study timing and mis-direction to solidify the reliability of the move, but I am extremely happy with the mechanics so far. In general this sound very similar to the method described by pchosse. Hope my ramblings are of some use. Cheers, Beetroot |
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Mistro Special user Canada 577 Posts |
I think Daryl's E. of Card sleights Volume 8 had a good section of a Top Change. that's where I learned my Top Change from.
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shanla Loyal user Japan, Tokyo 285 Posts |
Thank you for suggesting many sources.
I think that executing the change all between the thumb and first finger makes thing natural. But in this method, there is a need to move my thumb and first finger sleightly, like a pull-and-push move in Elmsley Count. If I hold a cardwhich is to be switched beetween my first and second finger, there is almost no movement of right fingers. As for large hand motion, Mr. Chosse's post is very indicating. I think Max Malini's way that is explained in Expert Card Technique is similar to this. In my recognition, the hands move like billiard ball. The right hand moves to the left, hit the left hand, and left hand moves away. Is it right? To use these motion, I think I had better moving my body in large motion to cover the two hands motion. Typically, my body turns right to left while the change is done. Anyway, I agree that there is little chance to watch a well-done top change in life. Tomoo
http://www.cardcoinmagic.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/tomosanb?feature=mhee Strive to enter in by the narrow door. |
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Shawn74 Loyal user New Mexico 211 Posts |
The problem I find with any Top Change I've tried is the sound of cards sliding when they are changed. This is usually coverd up by patter(at least I think it is as no one has said anything to me about it), but I was wondering if anyone has advise for that. I though I would post it here rather than start a totally new thread for it. I hope that's ok.
Thank You Shawn
Hold your breath...make a wish...count to 3... and you'll be in a world of pure imagination
Willy Wonka |
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