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ZachDavenport Inner circle Last time I posted I had one less than 1196 Posts 
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I am not new to magic, but have just started getting into mentalism. I was wondering where the best place to learn the art is. I tried the internet, but it has little more than card forces. I know there are some great mentalists on the café, and would like to know where to start.
thanks, Zach
Reality is a real killjoy.
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Stunninger Inner circle 2828 Posts
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Bob Cassidy's 39 Steps to Mentalism would be a wise place to start your journey:
http://www.lybrary.com/thirtynine-steps-mentalism-a-10.html |
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MatthewSims Special user 778 Posts
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39 steps is a great place to start, but new material has since came out that isn't on there.
I HIGHLY recommend you get Bob Cassidys "The Artful Mentalism of Bob Cassidy: Vol 2". In my humble opinion, there is simply no better book to start with. And yes, I am suggesting vol 2 FIRST. Bob even suggests this as well. Matthew |
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innercirclewannabe Inner circle Ireland 1597 Posts
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Once you familiarise yourself with Bob's list, the next step is to go out and do! The best way to learn, is to do.
Tá sé ach cleas má dhéanann tú sé cuma mhaith ar cheann.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts
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The 39 steps is free to read at the link provided earlier and in my signature below.
It is true that new material comes out virtually every day, but the books on my lists are there for a reason. They are, for the most part, classics and will provide you with a foundation that will give you a different perspective on more recent works. |
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C.J. Inner circle There's a lotta rambling in my 2366 Posts
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As I say to a lot of newcomers, Mentalism is a surprisingly broad field. I second Bob's list as the perfect starting place, but perhaps to some, the idea of 39 books to read as their first challenge might seem a little overwhelming (and some of them are out of print and very hard to find!). In particular, what aspects of mentalism have caught your attention and made you want to learn this art? What effects do you want to be able to achieve? Your answers to these questions will help us advise you more clearly on which books to begin with. If you're not sure how to answer, then "13 Steps to Mentalism" by Tony Corinda is a great book for laying out some of the core principles of mentalism to allow you to get an overview.
Connor Jacobs - The Thought Sculptor
Mundus vult decipi, ergo decipiatur Be fondly remembered. |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts
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Yes, CJ, there are a few books on the list that are OP or hard to find. But all of the major works listed there remain available.
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ZachDavenport Inner circle Last time I posted I had one less than 1196 Posts
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Quote:
On May 10, 2014, C.J. wrote: I really like the effects where you talk to them for a while then reveal things about them, such as a pin number favorite place to travel etc. I know this is a bit advanced, but that is my favorite kind of mentalism. I also like spoon bending and telekinesis, but hate carrying gimmicks and invisible thread.
Reality is a real killjoy.
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Stu Montgomery Veteran user St Petersburg FL 354 Posts
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39 Steps, anything by Richard Osterlind and/or Colin McLoud (Colin Cloud - Forensic Mind reader)(Opening Minds).
"Round about what is, lies a whole mysterious world of might be" Longfellow.
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twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts
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Welcome! You sound like you already have a pretty clear picture of what you want to do. All of the resources mentioned are great. I will give you the same advice that Bob Cassidy gave me when I first started my switch from magic to mentalism and started posting in this section. Learn b***et work. It is so incredibly versatile and is a blank slate for you to create miracles. If you study b****ts you will be able to achieve the types of effects you've mentioned.
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DWRackley Inner circle Chattanooga, TN 1909 Posts
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I’d also advise, as you’re reading 39 Steps, to pay close attention to WHY Bob chose certain books. There’s an education just in his reasoning. You don’t have to get everything at once (probably best if you DON’T!). Bob explains what’s best for beginners and what will be better for later on. Best guide anywhere.
...what if I could read your mind?
Chattanooga's Premier Mentalist Donatelli and Company at ChattanoogaPerformers.com also on FaceBook |
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BrandonBeckerMentalist New user Pennsylvania, USA 32 Posts
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Anneman's practical mental magic is good, as is Corrinda's book. if you want to use actual psychology in your effects, my ebook Real Mentalism will be out next month.
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bdekolta Inner circle Texas 1636 Posts
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Bob ~
I was reading a passage from "The Amateur Magician's Handbook" to some well know people just a few days ago. The particular passage is on page 4. I mean seriously page 4 and there are still hundreds of pages to go. The passage in question says "You let the audience perform their own magic with coaching from you." I believe that sums up a lot. I can't get people to read the first two chapters of that book yet I believe they are two of the most relevant we have. That was the only book I had for the first ten years of my magical life. Fortunately it was a good one. ~ Dan |
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts
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I agree completely. That is why it is the first book I recommend to anyone starting in magic OR mentalism.
"Hard Easy Tricks and Easy Hard Tricks" is a chapter that should be required reading. |
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ZachDavenport Inner circle Last time I posted I had one less than 1196 Posts
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Quote:
On May 11, 2014, BrandonBeckerMentalist wrote: I do want to use psychology, so I might check that out. I know it will take practice, but will your book cover how to divine a name, or name of a place, by simply talking to them and reading facial responses? That Idea is one of the things that made me want to get into mentalism.
Reality is a real killjoy.
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mastermindreader 1949 - 2017 Seattle, WA 12586 Posts
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Zach- the idea that you can get the name of a place simply by reading facial expressions is a presentational PREMISE, not an actual method used in mentalism. Do as I suggested and build a foundation in the fundamentals of the art.
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ZachDavenport Inner circle Last time I posted I had one less than 1196 Posts
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Quote:
On May 17, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: I saw a description of something like this that Colin McLeod could do on ellusionist. It was not for sale, but just a testament to how good a mentalist he is. It may be hyper exaggerated being ellusionist, but I was hoping.
Reality is a real killjoy.
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Craig Logan Special user Michigan 541 Posts
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Quote:
On May 17, 2014, mastermindreader wrote: I heard Kenton Knepper in an interview recently discussing this problem of people chase methods or flashy "Darren Brown-esque" effects without a foundation in mentalism. One can easily be swallowed up by the overwhelming number of things to build with in mentalism, but it is rather useless if you don't have a good and solid foundation. This forum is what grounded me when I first jumped into mentalism only a few months ago.
"A wizard is not to be made in a day." -Professor Hoffmann (Modern Magic)
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts
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You need to read books, keep notes, watch mentalists. Be willing to go down a pile of rabbit holes. Immerse yourself. Eventually you'll find material and ideas that resonate with you. DON'T pay any attention to the flavour of the week stuff people sometimes get so hyped up about.
Bob C's Fundamentals 2 is the single best starting point. Read it at least twice. DON'T listen to advice that tells you to start with Corinda and Annemann. You need a grounding in what mentalism is first before they will make sense to you. Relax and enjoy the ride. Feel free to come by here and ask questions. And welcome...it's a splendid ride. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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ZachDavenport Inner circle Last time I posted I had one less than 1196 Posts
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I looked through the 39 steps, but I don't know where to start. These books are expensive, and I am on a tight budget. What book should I start with that covers the most essential concepts?
Reality is a real killjoy.
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Posted: May 10, 2014 05:46 pm 
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