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EXTREMENINJA1 Regular user 134 Posts |
Today I did a small performance to some family over dinner. They were completely amazed and I had a lot of fun performing. However one person asked if I could teach her magic. I did not show her any effects or sleights naturally but I did show her a moderately difficult flourish. I told her if she could master it then I would teach her more. What do you guys do when you get asked this question?
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
I like your answer! I usually give them my card and tell them I am busy for about a month. They are to use the month to research what kind of magic they wish to do and call me at the end. Very, very few call...
Jim
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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The Burnaby Kid Inner circle St. John's, Canada 3158 Posts |
I've got a card trick that I save just for this occasion. Method-wise, it falls into the category of the 21-card-trick/simple key card/basic magician's choice in terms of sophistication, meaning it's the sort of thing that they might run into if they were out googling "beginner's magic tricks" or whatever. It's got a massive presentation on top of it, though.
It's funny that this got posted today, as I just threw it up over at the olde blogge yesterday. It's free, but password-protected. Follow the main page's instructions as they relate to twitter.
JACK, the Jolly Almanac of Card Knavery, a free card magic resource for beginners.
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Steven Youell V.I.P. 3866 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-12 20:18, Mr. Mystoffelees wrote: Jim is right-- there's no sense in spending a fair amount of time if it's just temporary curiosity. Here's my approach: I carry an instructional sheet with well writteninstructions for a specific effect. If they ask, I'll tell them that in order to tell if I can teach them, they have to show they're serious about it. Then I go through the instructions with them (privately to avoid onlookers), give them the sheet and say: "This is from a book you can get that costs less than $10.00. Get that book and figure out what I changed in the trick. Then call and tell me. Then I'll know you really want to learn and I can help you." Here are some of the effects I'd suggest that have no special requirements for access: 1) The Upside Down Deck, page 11 of Scarne On Card Tricks-- also known as Rosini's Double Reverse 2) Various versions of You Do As I Do-- you can find at least two versions in the Scarne book. 3) Take a look at Poker Player's Picnic in Royal Road To Card Magic 4) And there are at least a dozen such effects in the Fulves books. Now I adjust most of these to eliminate any actual "moves", but I'd advise you to make sure you don't lose effectiveness through simplifying the method. If that's a problem, then stick with the Fulves books. The instructions for the effect, the name of the book and my phone number are all on the sheet-- and the sheet is printed on resume stock so it looks classy. If they read the book, figure out what you changed by comparing the book to the instructional sheet and then call you-- their interest is serious. And, like Jim, very few people have called me. But those who do are serous about learning and I've made some great friends. That's it in a nutshell, but if you need further details, just PM me. SEY P.S. I would caution against you giving lessons unless you're dead certain you're qualified to teach. Not everyone who can do something can teach others to do it. Nothing personal, I just don't know your capabilities. |
Yellowcustard Inner circle New Zealand 1334 Posts |
EXTREMENINJA1 I like your approach. I just keep it short and simple I say iam busy working but give them a card and say phone me. Something else I do is either show them a simple key card effect or a trick with a coin and a pen.
I think it great that people show a interest and spend a little time with them can be fun.
Enjoy your magic,
and let others enjoy it as well! |
EXTREMENINJA1 Regular user 134 Posts |
I like using the flourish method since it sorts out the people who really are interested and not just curious. If they truly want to learn they will attempt to master the flourish. If not then they will probably practice it for about 6 minutes and get bored.
Now I don't think that I am that good a teacher, but what I could do is show them something I can explain well and suggest a good book to purchase ect. |
mlippo Inner circle Trieste (Italy) 1227 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-12 16:47, EXTREMENINJA1 wrote: Roberto Giobbi suggests the same thing in his Card College. Then he gives out his business card... mlippo |
DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts |
Agreeing with the others, you handled it very well. As Jim said, not many call back!
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
Ray Bertrand Inner circle Ottawa, Ontario 1452 Posts |
You did well with your approach. When I became interested in the art I was told to go to the library and pick up a book on magic. Study it and practice a few tricks. I was then to contact the magician and perform what I had learned for him. Only then would he consider becoming my mentor. I've never looked back.
Ray
Mentalism in Ontario.
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Herr Brian Tabor Special user Oklahoma City 729 Posts |
Steven Youell I like your idea a lot! I get asked this regularly, and this is a great solution!
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ViolinKing Veteran user a loyal user has no more than 307 Posts |
I'm pretty sure it was a video of Marshall Brodien that I was watching where he was with family and just generally goofing around with a zombie ball principle using a roll on a fork behind a napkin. I thought it was fun, and everyone in the family seemed to treat it like a collective game.
Perhaps to some people magic is important. (Rather, magic secrets.) But really, I don't think that the type of person who says "teach me" is going to harm magic. On the other hand is the person that says "show me." |
ViolinKing Veteran user a loyal user has no more than 307 Posts |
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epsilon97 Regular user 178 Posts |
Thanks for sharing that video, ViolinKing. That was a really cool jam session.
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