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Mleano16 New user 3 Posts |
Hey guys I've been having a really tough time thumb fanning and I've been practicing for a while now but I still cannot get it down. This is not an excuse but I have small hands so when I see certain videos and they teach me about hand placement, it messes me up. So what do you guys think? should I have the cards closer to my thumb or further? should they be higher or lower than my middle finger? anything would help. Thanks guys!
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Herr Brian Tabor Special user Oklahoma City 729 Posts |
Welcome to the Café! Be sure to read the rules and introduce yourself in the forum.
Honestly, this is something that will differ from person to person. When you ask if you should move the deck closer, further, etc, this is something you'll just have to try for yourself. Sometimes it just takes a lot of practice before everything clicks into place, so don't give up. I can tell you a relaxed grip, rather than holding the cards too tightly can help, but after that it's all you. Also, do your cards have an air cushion finish, or are they the cheaper plastic cards one finds at the dollar store? These dollar store cards will not fan very well at all. Another hint may be to try fanning powder, to help the cards glide against each other better, and once you get the hang of it use less and less until you don't need the powder at all anymore. Without knowing more there's little else I know to tell you. It might help to know what your problem is, i.e. are the cards dropping to the floor? are they fanning uneven...and so on. After that I'd reccomend you post this question in the card forum, they'll be able to help you better. |
Mleano16 New user 3 Posts |
Thanks for the welcome! I have bicycles with air cushion finish but when I fan the cards they are uneven and I cannot get the whole deck to fan either.
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Julie Inner circle 3936 Posts |
Hi Mleano16
You should be aware that your "problem" may not be with you or your ability to execute the fan, but rather with the deck of cards itself. Unfortunately there is sometimes a substantial variance in the quality of Bicycle brand cards from deck to deck. Some will fan beautifully right out of the box and some will require some work; either in breaking in the cards through repeated use or treating the entire deck with some form of "fanning powder". Another possibility is to try an entirely different brand. Some casino-type decks are relatively inexpensive, but are infinitely easier to manipulate. If the deck fans well otherwise and your only handling challenge is the thumb fan, then the answer is practice, practice, practice. Hope this helps. Julie |
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
There is also a possibility that you are applying too much pressure. With most sleights/moves, a very light touch, just enough to keep the object(s) under control is what is needed. Also, with a thumb fan, too deep a grip can kill it. Two pointers: 1) Break out a new deck, don't drop or shuffle it and try to do a thumb fan, or any other fan, right away. This may not help if the deck is a "bad' deck out of the box (more likely with cards bought from Walmart or another big chain). 2) Start out with 1/2 or 1/4 of a deck and then work up to a full deck slowly. You may have more luck this way.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
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djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
Get decent cards, never had a new pack of Bike's I couldn't fan, do it gently....old cards can be difficult. Like loads of stuff in magic, practice is the key.
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TCB Loyal user I am so happy to be promoted because of my 210 Posts |
I couldn't have said it any better than Mleano16. I have the exact same problem. Other slights come much easier to me, but the thumb fan is a real challenge. One suggestion that's was good was from MRSharp, to try a smaller portion of the deck. I haven't tried this except with pressure fans. I think I will try with smaller portions of the deck, to get the feel, and then add more and more cards
There Is No Revolution Without Evolution
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Zephury Elite user Hollywood, FL 488 Posts |
I never did really worry about using half the deck or anything.. But provided that you have a new pack of cards..
In the best words I can explain it with.. Hold your left hand flat, Place your thumb on about the spot where the queen's head is. That tip helped me a lot when I began doing it!! The placement of your thumb should be on the bottom half of course, and then you pivot the deck to the farthest point left that your hand will allow you to. (Till the side of the deck bumps in to your thumb, then you experiment with pressure and roll the ball of your thumb and try to get an even fan. You'll have to experiment with the amount of pressure with different speeds. Try to keep the same amount of speed at all times and just change the pressure until you find something that does it well for you. With practice, you'll be able to fan every card evenly no matter what speed it's at. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! I get 5-6 sleights and practice them all at once.. For example, one of my practice "sequences" is Thumb fan (Or Pressure fan), Spring, Faro, Close the Faro with a one handed bridge, false overhand shuffle, Spring it once more, Thumb fan (or pressure), another Spring, faro.. etc and so on.. Non stop ALL day long for weeks on end. Most people can do all of those things after being in to magic for a while and practicing but.. You can spend years perfecting them. You can do that almost everywhere you go. That's just how I do it.. Good luck! |
TCB Loyal user I am so happy to be promoted because of my 210 Posts |
Quote: On 2014-01-17 13:19, Zephury wrote:
There Is No Revolution Without Evolution
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