|
|
Newsround New user UK 82 Posts |
Its all in the title really. I was just wondering if anybody had any advice on how I can improve my fanning of cards. I've been practising lots from RRTCM and Harry Lorayne's "The Magic Book". Although I am still a complete beginner, I feel comfortable with a few sleights and flourishes, I just cant seem to get a good fan all the time. Most occasions there are clumps of cards, then a few spread well, then another clump and so on. Appreciate anyone taking the time to read and comment
|
Brogan_C New user 60 Posts |
If the cards or old try a new deck or some fanning powder. After that you just have to keep doing it over and over. Getting a perfect fan is a knack (in my experience). As you do practice, it will continue to get better until you can do the fan near perfect every time.
|
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
The Pressure Fan is one of the most difficult flourishes to get down. It is just a royal hassle to learn. Here is what I recommend on my video on flourishes: You have to just do it until you get it. Yeah, yeah...practice. But, here's the thing: Work on it for small bursts. Say 5 min. a day for a month. They do NOT do it at all for a week. Start up again and see if you have improved.
There is a remarkable theory of practice that says when you stop attempting something that you just don't seem to get: Give it a rest. The idea is that your subconcious will continue to work on it even though you have stopped actual practice. I have found for myself and students that this works almost without fail. And, still kinda creeps me out...but, there you go. Try it. Trick to getting a great fan again is to just do it until you get it. I worked about a year and suddenly, one day, I just simply had it. Good luck
Brad Burt
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Brad has givrn you the "real work"!
I learned it when I was about 15, with no one to help me (in person, that is). I started with plain old Aviators, and a little can of fanning powder. It's wise to use a NEW deck. Don't shuffle it! Then, follow Brad's "system". Odds are 100 to 1 that you wont get it the first week! Don't give up!
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Newsround New user UK 82 Posts |
Thanks for the replies people. I probably could do with a couple of new decks now, so maybe something in that; hopefully! I'll also try shelving it for a week then coming back to it. Thanks again for the help
|
zoescout New user Washington 48 Posts |
I have been working on my card fans as well. I agree with everything said here. It simply takes practice. At first I just couldn't get good consistent fans and it was very frustrating. I spent a lot of time and didn't see much improvement. Then I just started carrying a deck of cards in my pocket and everytime during the day when I had a few minutes waiting for something, I practiced my card fans (it is amazing how much time we spend waiting every day). So my practice sessions with 3-5 min bursts a dozen times a day. It was remarkable the difference. It just started to click and I am now greatly greatly improved.
I had fanning cards, used fanning powder, etc. but when it came down to it, it was just a regular used deck of cards in my pocket. Bottom line - there is no real shortcut, just practice! |
bartleby Veteran user 361 Posts |
I am not sure if this is the placebo effect or not but I would recommend the following whilst training... I had been working on my fan with a stubborn deck of very old cards. I jumped to a brand new deck and the flourish was wonderful. After trying that for a dozen times or so I went back to the old deck and was surprised at how much better I was. Something about having it work and getting the feel right on one made it easier on the other. Anyways I hope it helps.
|
MagicKingdom10 Veteran user 316 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 8, 2014, Brad Burt wrote: That is simply brilliant thank you for this advice! I have never heard of it before but it relates with my previous experiences in practicing magic or any other subjects for that matter.
I Love You God
|
wwhokie1 Special user 512 Posts |
PTP -- Practice, Time, Patience
|
Newsround New user UK 82 Posts |
Just a quick update. Got myself some new decks, took some time out and......yeah, you guessed it! Whilst not claiming its anywhere near perfect my fanning technique has most definitely improved. Thanks for the help people, it really is appreciated by us "newbies"
|
Invisticone Regular user 132 Posts |
I'm a newbie myself, but one thing I felt helped with the development of my still far from perfect fans was watching as many explanations as possible from as many different people as possible. Same thing with most other stuff really..
|
MRSharpe Special user Never a dull moment with 940 Posts |
Man oh man, Brad Burt really revealed some valuable advice there. I've been into magic for 47 years and it is amazing how little good overworking any move can be. It's the old "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice make perfect!" theory. If you over work a move you invariably make a mistake and then you practice the mistake and perfect it. Then you have to unlearn the mistake which is even harder than learning the move correctly the first time. Learning a move in short bursts as he says is definitely the best way to go. And it is true that the subconscious mind works on anything of importance and you don't even realize it. This is true for scientists, inventors, artists, you name it.
I will add that often if a move isn't working then you are probably using too much pressure. Lighten the touch and then try it. This is true of coins, cards, almost any object that can be manipulated with few exceptions.
Custom Props Designer and Fabricator as well as Performer from Indiana, USA
|
Newsround New user UK 82 Posts |
Yeah, I'd definitely say I was using too much pressure. I honestly can't believe how light I'm holding them to do it now. The new cards I would say are the biggest difference, I hadn't noticed how worn my originals had got. I do manual work and carry a deck in the car and work on things in little bursts on and off through the day. Have to admit I'm quite ashamed of the state of the deck I was trying to work with! However, the last word does have to be a massive thanks to Brad Burt for sharing that little nugget of information.
|
poolside New user Tampa, Florida 73 Posts |
Should have known the real secret is practice. Doh! I bought fanning cards (too thin, hate them) and fanning powder in the past and basically gave up. Thanks to you guys (especially Brad Burt!) I'm practicing with new Bicycles and it's starting to come together. I love the great advice you can find in here!
"It's a good feeling to know you're alive" - Fred Rogers
|
zoescout New user Washington 48 Posts |
This is a great thread and I agree with everything said as it was exactly the same experience that I have had learning my fanning techniques. I am getting better by the week and now feel comfortable doing fans with almost any deck of cards now. Thanks everyone!
|
TickTock New user Worcester, Massachusetts 18 Posts |
Speaking of trying a new deck, I'd been having some trouble with a few effects and flourishes, myself. Then my wife surprised me with a double-pack of KEM cards -- the "plastic deck" for anyone unfamiliar -- I did a few shuffles and I HATED THEM. But I worked with them for a while because I was tired of mangling my paper decks practicing my spring flourish. Then the weirdest thing happened, in that my other effects improved with my paper decks once I tried them a few times with the KEM. I'm not sure why, but the feel of them, or maybe their total uniformity in size, spring, feel, etc., but I'm better now with my paper decks after trying a plastic one.
Long story short: I think there might be something to this idea of using multiple decks from multiple brands. (Ah, full disclosure: I'm not advocating KEM, even though I sound like a fanboy, here -- there are a few different brands of plastic cards. I mention the KEM because they're the only ones I have experience with.) |
Newsround New user UK 82 Posts |
I have some 100% plastic decks, different brand, from playing poker with. I have say I don't like doing anything with them "magic" wise.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » New to magic? » » Advice on improving fan? (1 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |