What is a good video or book(let) to learn the linking rings?

To be honest, probably the best place to start is with the instructions that came with your rings. They generally offer what you need to know to do a good routine.

Ninja Rings is a four ring routine that is very good, but it is not a good beginner's routine.

Tarbell has quite a bit about the rings (I'm not sure which volume)

My personal favorite is Dai Vernon's Symphony of the Rings. It's a six ring routine and is available for about $10 in a manuscript. It's not super easy to learn from the book, but it is a great routine.

The rings have been around for a long time, so there's lots to learn.

Douglas Atkinson has compiled some information about Linking Ring books, videos, and products. You can go to the Linking Rings section of his site using this Internet address:

http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/maglinkr.htm

I forgot to mention that you can also do a search in the Magic Café Forums for the information that you are looking for.

There are many knowledgeable magicians who would be glad to help you on these forums.

If you can find a used copy of Marvels of Mystery by John Booth there is a good routine in it. It uses a set of eight rings.

Linking rings are notoriously difficult to learn from a book or pamphlet, even with good photos and line drawings. I love books but you really need to see the instructor. It's just so hard to put into words. I gave up describing my routine, "Liquid Rings" in writing and will eventually do a DVD.

I would strongly suggest getting the Greater Magic volume on rings. I have that and found that it is easily understood.

I have Brad Burt's Private Lesson video of The Linking Rings. I found it to be very detailed in explanation. It's an excellent learning tool. I strongly recommend it. He still sells it (I believe) at http://www.magicshop.com .

Tarbell has some great moves, and also the McBride dvds.

There is a nice linking rings routine in the Dai Vernon book of magic

For a beginner, try the video 25 Tricks with Linking Rings. It's readily available at most magic dealers and is not very expensive. It will teach you many of the basic moves and get you started on a basic routine.

Once you have learned some of the basic moves, it will take some time to find a routine that fits your personality and style. There are many 3 ring, 4 ring, 6 ring 8 ring and even 11 ring routines out there to choose from. It's a matter of what fits you.

Kent

Yes, definitely worth looking at...the book is a treasure!!
:bluebikes:

<<<<KRaZy4kardz>>>>

Lets not forget Jeff McBrides stage magic video teaches a great routine

Let me chime in here a little late. There is a ton of information available for the Rings.
Look for the Dai Vernon routing which is the standard.
As stated above the McBride DVD is one of the best.
Whit Haydn has a great 4 ring version in print, or DVD.
The Jack Miller 5 ring routing is really good. A gentleman out of the NorthWest released a version of the routine on DVD that is worth looking for.
Al Koran's 3 ring routing is good in print, or DVD.
Stevens' offers a Ring "teach in" DVD with some very good material, including the Al Koran routine.
The book "Rings in you Fingers" by Fitzkee is the best book out there.
Tarbell offers good material.
"Blackstone's Secrets of Magic" also has a good 8 ring routine.
Like all the classics the Linking Rings teaches good magic principals. You can do it with patter, silent, music, on stage, close up, the street, and just about any where.
Good luck

Does anyone know a bit about the ninja rings and Shoot Ogawas video on them? I like the fact that they seem to lend them selves to more intamite close up work witch is something I enjoy worjking on (close -up) that is maybe one day I could/would do larger versions for stage but I first (in my opinion) need to get comftorbale working around 1-2 strangers lewt alone 100.
Tank you kindly,
Fudd

The ninja rings is a great routine. The rings are just a smaller set of standard linking rings.
The routine does take a lot of practice to do, especially the reverse crash link.
It will be worth the effort if you take the time to learn it.

I can give you an advice. Start with four rings only, and I don’t mean only while practicing, but also performing. Four rings are quite enough to entertain the people and not complicated since you can do just a few routines with four rings. Don’t forget that linking rings are still one of biggest mysteries for audience, and they will be more than happy to see it in your act. Three questions people ask me at 90% of time:
1. Did you sow that guy (Copperfield) that goes through the wall?
2. Can you produce a rabbit from a hat?
3. How does the magician link those rings together, and then separate them, and I cannot?
Trust me. Four rings only for start, until you get enough confidence. And if you can find a smaller than usual rings, this can be perfect for any occasion!

The only routine I use is David Ginn's Comedy Linking Rings. There are no difficult moves, but the routine is very entertaining to the audience, has great audience participation and makes them laugh. I like the routine because it fits my style of presentation.

Remember that once you have shown the audience that you can link and unlink the rings, the rest is really just a repeat of what they know you can already accomplish and can therefore be an anticlimax.