Comments on: Amaze Your Friends: 5 Props For Beginners That Will Make You a Great Magician (And They Each Cost Less Than $10!)

By: Will Tingle

Will Tingle — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:56:19 +0000

Oh and how could I forget “Mark Wilson’s Encyclopedia of Magic” – it makes a great 1st magic book, and is good enough that you’ll still pick it up every now and then if you go pro.

By: Will Tingle

Will Tingle — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:54:38 +0000

If you’re prepared to put in some work, Buy the DVD set ‘On the spot’ – there is easily enough quality magic on there for a full professional act; and it all uses regular objects that you can borrow.

Also check out the book ‘Modern coin magic’ by J B Bobo

Color monte and sponge balls are great – but more ‘dorky’ than ‘manly’; being able to amaze and impress with thing laying around on the other hand…

By: Joel Bishop

Joel Bishop — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:20:53 +0000

I second Douglas Lipert’s view. I am an amatuer magician & the first rule of thumb of good magic, no matter how easy it is is practice, practice, practice. The second is to never reveal the secret no matter how much they beg. The reasoning behind this is that when the secret is revealed, all the mystery is gone & you have ceased to be viewed as a magician. I cannot tell you how important this is.

Another good book is, “The Royal Road to Card Magic”. This is an excellent book on card magic though a little dated. It takes you from beginner to advanced card worker if followed through from beginning to end & has some real knock out effects in it.

As for inexpensive & indespensible props:

-The Thumb Tip or “TT” for short. This utility device can be used for a wide variety of very good effects

- Invisible Thread or “IT” though you must be cautious with this for multiple reasons, the effects produced are literally miraculous. Though I won’t tell HOW to use it, I will tell you an inexspensive source which is wooly nylon which can be bought at nearly any fabric store.

-Normal handkerchiefs, they can be used for dozens of effects & have multiple uses.

-Half dollars

-small napkins

-matches (both paper & box kind though they are used differently)

Many other inexspensive props can be found by actually learning a little bit about magic & for god’s sake magic is a true art form please put some effort into it if you are going to learn & never ever give away the secret.

By: Douglas Lippert

Douglas Lippert — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:23:24 +0000

That’s a bunch of BS saying that magic isn’t “manly”. You know what the problem is? The original poster advising tricks like Sponge Balls and Color Monte. That is terrible advice to give someone that is hesitant about performing magic tricks because those tricks are lame.

No wonder T.J. and Tyler Logan say magic isn’t “manly”. Even though the sponge ball effect is done by professional magicians, it will not entice a newcomer. Sponge balls are not a “manly” trick to be honest as it looks like you carry clown noses in your pants. But, professional close-up performer do use it because the magic is strong and is in the spectator’s hands.

Also, to the guy who put up the link to a magician’s only forum. Why on Earth would you do that? The Magic C*fe is not for people curious about magic. Too many secrets can be found that laymen on this site do not need to know.

Pick up “Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic” if you are serious about learning a few great magic tricks to perform for your friends.

Please, don’t let the low price fool you. This stuff is gold.

Also, please NEVER expose the magic to make yourself feel cool in the eyes of your buddies. Never. Let them enjoy the mystery. Keep your mouth shut and practice, practice, practice! Don’t perform the trick the same day. Plan how you are going to carry what you need, when you think it will be appropriate to perform, what you will say. Again, practice, practice, practice! Have fun.

The link to the book:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0894716239

By: Tyler Logan

Tyler Logan — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:02:53 +0000

Magic is great but for me it’s lost it’s touch. I’m on similar lines to T.H. above – it’s not a manly venture.

By: T.H.

T.H. — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:47:29 +0000

I don’t want to sound like some condescending hyper jock, but magic is not masculine. It is at best a gender neutral hobby. Almost all hobbies are good for a man, but are not necessarily masculine.

By: Kevin Y.

Kevin Y. — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:22:39 +0000

For those who think that magic is not manly, I have a story for you.

I met this really nice girl in an English class one day. We became quick friends and soon after that we went out on a date. I brought over my magic (this is our first date mind you) and proceeded to preform my routine. She was taken aback and loved every minute. Needless to say there was a second date and now, almost two years later, she is engaged to be my wife.

Magic got me the lady of my dreams. Try it men, and you may be surprised at the results.

Also one final tip about magic:
Don’t try to learn as many tricks as you can. Learn only a few and practice those until you can perform them in your sleep. I have heard many professional magicians say that someone who prefects only a few tricks is a better magician, that someone who only half-way knows a thousand tricks.

Once again, this is a great article.

By: Ronald Arceo

Ronald Arceo — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:14:14 +0000

I’ve been studying magic for a long long time now. The first magic show I performed was in the 4th grade and I BOMBED it. But I was a kid… so who cares right?
Well from that point on I decided to learn as much about magic as I could. Now, 16 years later, I have to say the things I’ve learned in the sense of psychology, my limiting beliefs, my performances that sucked and the ones that were great, etc. I’ve learned a lot.
Any other magician can tell you that it’s constant practice, constant learning, and constantly improving yourself.

I don’t perform as much anymore but I did write a book on the things I’ve learned through magic. And how it can color your life in so many ways.

Anyway, great topic and recommendations on books and tricks. Personally, learn as much as you can about EVERYTHING. It makes you a better and more “whole” of a person in this world. And magic is a good starting point. ;)

Email me if you want to learn more. (No secrets though, haha.)

By: Trapped in Ohio

Trapped in Ohio — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:31:25 +0000

If your interested in magic as a hobby there are a great number of websites that have forums that are immensely helpful. http://www.themagiccafe.com is by far the best. While all the recommendations are wonderful, I in particular am not a fan of card magic. I prefer coin magic, and J.B Bobo’s modern coin magic is a must for anyone interested in magic as a hobby.
Also Magic is manly! you have to present it in a way that is manly and true to you. Alot of the plots are tired and dorky but there is no magic police that says you have to stick to the certain ways to present illusions. If nothing else I was told by a Drill Sargent of mine that every man should know at least one good magic trick and a dead baby joke, but that last part is optional.

By: total nerd bomber

total nerd bomber — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:32:57 +0000

What? No great female magicians? What about the Great Harriette Houdini ! huh? huh?!

sorry, that was my total nerd bomber side showing a little