Showing posts with label Magicians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magicians. Show all posts

How To Teach Children Magic

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When it comes to teaching any subject matter to beginners, it can be much easier than you might think. Simply because beginners don't know anything about the subject or have any preconceived notions or past history of learning the subject, and whatever you teach them they learn it exactly as you teach it without polluting the teaching with their own preconceived ideas.

As you probably are quite aware, children are like little thirsty sponges that soak up information at an impressive rate. So, if you are going to be teaching magic tricks to a child or to many children you need to be prepared for all the questions that they can ask... and, believe me, kids can ask some doozies. Their honesty combined with their curiosity can be both difficult and endearing.

The first thing you will want to establish with kids is that you know what you are talking about. It is you that is the expert. You should do a few simple tricks yourself ending with the one you plan on teaching them how to do.

Depending upon the age of the child or the children, choose a magic trick to teach them that it is possible for them to do considering their height and the size of their hands.

On the other hand, if you are not a magician, don't pretend to be and just have some fun with some very simple tricks that you can do.

If you happen to be the parent (aunt, uncle, Godmother or Godfather, Grandmother or Grandfather) of a budding magician and he or she is begging and pleading for a magic kit, you can find some very good ones online (Illusionist is a good site) or at your local magic shop.

Learning magic tricks together with you child is great fun and a great way to spend time together. And once you get started... there's a good chance that both you and your child will get hooked!

When buying a magic kit for a child, do not choose one that says it is for kids from 4 to 104.

There are an abundance of magic tricks and kits that are geared for the age of the child. Also, if your child has been executing magic tricks and shows a real interest... their skill level may be above the recommended age anyway.

With a one size fits all magic kit, the kids wont be able to do but about half of the tricks in the kit. Their hands wont be big enough.

Also, it's a good idea to be certain that the instructions come with pictures or video.

Information about how to do the tricks in nothing but print are almost useless to children.

Once you find one that you like, you'll and your kids will be well on the way to hours of fun... and who knows... maybe a budding magician.


Article Source: http://www.bigfreearticles.com

When it comes to teaching any subject matter to beginners, it can be much easier than you might think Simply because beginners don't know anything about the subject or have any preconceived notions or past history of learning the subject, and whatever you teach them they learn it exactly as you teach it without polluting the teaching with their own preconceived ideas

About the Author:
For more information on magic tricks be sure to visit www.magic.web-sitings.com where you will find advice and tips on card tricks, coin tricks, magic spells, and how you can start dazzling your audiences.

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Why Use Magic Tricks With Sponges

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My advice is, if you don't already do SOME kind of sponge magic you are NUTS! Almost nothing is stronger than when people open their hand and those extra sponges appear. It always takes them "right back to wonder."

I worked with classic red balls for years, but I got sick and tired of playing hide and seek with them when they rolled off the table. I also got sick of the clown nose comments. This is why I further developed sponge magic.

I have spent many years developing material (plenty of classic sleights and several different routines) but the handling I do most often is a quick "Miser Dream." I slip my hands into my back pockets, grab the jumbo earplug in the left hand and one of the small earplugs into my right. Then I quickly pretend to "find" several earplugs on other people's elbows, ears, etc- and each time I pretend to put in into my left hand, but of course just hold out the same one earplug in my right.

To finish, I produce the earplug from my own ear (or wherever) and jam "everything" that is in my left hand into a spectator's hand. I just tap the back of their hand with the one small earplug and just stand back and SAY NOTHING - the longer they wait, the more tension builds and when they open their hand - BOOM. Talk about feeling like a REAL magician!

This is also a great trick for serious hecklers. They make some dumb comment and I say something back. And then when they make another dumb comment (which they almost always do) I just say, "I don't think you're listening," and I pretend to spot something in their ear. Finally, I just say "Ohhhh, that explains it!" and pretend to pull the jumbo earplug out of their ear. Without saying a word I've been able to make the heckler the butt of a great magic sight gag, with all his friends busting a gut. It's clear sailing for the rest of the show!

There are other great magicians who have created effects with stuff OTHER than sponges. "Lazarus" is a wonderful bar effect where the classic "do as I" routine is performed with matches.

"Re:Cap" is a very fresh transposition between a borrowed coin and the CAP of a salt shaker standing at the end of a table. Magicians constantly floor folks with this stunning opener for years.

There are a lot of different things magicians can do with sponges. Look around for a sponge magic trick to work into your routine. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the reactions you get from your audience.

BlueWaterArticles.com: - Why Use Magic Tricks With Sponges


About the Author

Jay Sankey is a true magician's magician and is widely considered to be one of the most original thinkers and finest magic teachers alive today. He is also one of the most prolific magic creators on the planet. Visit http://www.sankeymagic.com for more information about Jay and Sankey Magic.


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The Grand Illusion - Large-Scale Magic Tricks That Won't Fail to Impress!

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Have you ever watched a TV magic special and wondered, "How is that possible?" have you ever been curious as to how the top magicians accomplish some of their most extraordinary feats?

Soon you won't be wondering; you'll be trying them out for yourself!

Let's start with one of the oldest tricks in the book, but one of the best and most vividly compelling - levitation!

Levitation

Since you're interested in magic and illusion I'm going to bet you've heard of levitation before. Perhaps you've even seen a magician perform this incredible trick and wondered, "How the heck is he doing that?!" Well, hold onto your hat, because you're about to learn how.

First off, what is levitation? We all know what it looks like - the act of floating off or above the ground. It's sort of like flying. All the great magicians try to perfect this trick because it's one of the most simply visually arresting illusions in existence. And it's actually not that hard to do….

We practical magicians know that there is some trickery involved in levitation as a performance. However, there are those who believe in the real phenomenon of levitation as a form of psychokinesis, or the ability to move objects just with the power of the mind. The only people said to be able to perform levitation in reality are the spiritual elite, or those possessed by spiritual forces, like shamans, people in trances, or those possessed by a devil.

Now I don't know anyone who's actually seen a REAL levitation outside a magic performance, so take this for what you will….

I mean, you can sit on the floor and meditate and wait to "lift off," but unless you're really in possession of some special supernatural forces I don't think you're going to have too much luck!

What I am here to show you is how to perform the trick of levitation, to give your audience the impression that you are floating, or else causing some other object to float.

Levitation as a magic illusion has recently been practiced in the public sphere by such magic superstars as David Blaine and David Copperfield. Copperfield even performed a spectacular stunt in which he appeared to float over the Grand Canyon!!

All smoke and mirrors? TV special effects? Not exactly...

This article is extracted from the book 'Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know'. Full details can be found at http://www.discovermagictricks.com



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How To Do The Best Magic Tricks

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If you are a newbie magician and you want to improve your magic tricks, follow these tips and you are guaranteed to perform magic tricks that will amaze your audience.

Be Natural

The secret in having a great sleight of hand is your naturalness. There should be no hand wagging, no hand waving, jerky or quick motions. You should work naturally, deliberately, and slowly. If you master this, balls, coins, rings, cards, and coins will begin reappearing and disappearing at the tips of your fingers.

Watching your angles

You should be aware of your angles. Angles refer to the sleight lines between the item that you have just palmed off and the eye of your spectators. If you do not have the right angles, the audience could take a glimpse or see the object in your hand and your trick will be caught.

Practice your palming skills wherever you go

The most necessary skill of a man with a great sleight of hand is the ability or skill of palming an object that goes undetected. You could perfect this after some time of practicing palming small objects like coins in your everyday normal routine. You could palm a small object or item in both of your hands or either while writing, eating, watching TV, walking around, or doing other activities. If you practice care about the angles, no one would notice what you are doing, and after some time, what you are now doing self-consciously would later become almost natural to you. From then on, you could be able to palm objects or items more confidently, boldly, and successful each time.

Master your presentation

Practice your presentation. A small trick that is well presented could work wonders even without the most sophisticated of techniques since the audience would most likely relate to your trick or understand it.

What good is a magician if nobody understands or enjoys his or her tricks? The presentations therefore should be straightforward, simple, and understood easily so that your viewers or watchers could understand and enjoy the complete meaning of what you have been saying and doing.

Do not replicate a trick

Do not repeat the same trick for the same viewers or watchers. That is one of the basic rules in doing magic. When you repeat a trick, your audience would immediately know what you are going to do next. What may have been a miracle for you when you did your trick for the first time may not be quite satisfying or dazzling the next time around.


About The Author

Preston Houer has been involved with the art of illusion and slight of hand for over 30 years. Let Preston show you how to Have Fun With Magic. Visit His Site Today!http://www.have-fun-with-magic.com.

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How to Perform Magic Tricks on the Streets

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Ever seen David Blaine perform magic tricks? Most of these can be seen on television and you can do the same thing with the proper training. But how do you get started?

What you wear on the street is different from what you wear in a children’s party so don’t even think of wearing a tall black hat and suit. But still, you will need to wear a comfortable outfit and don’t forget to bring with you some tools for the trick.

To become a street magician, you must first learn some simple magic tricks. Ideally, these should have a lot of movement and color so that you will not only get the attention of a few people but a crowd. Some examples of those being used often include cards, coins, levitation and rings.

So you know nothing will go wrong, call a few friends over and perform in front of them. If the magic tricks go without any hitches, then good for you. Just keep practicing and do it also in front of others since this will help build your confidence. However, if there are some mistakes, be sure to fix it and don’t be afraid to get some feedback from them.

To be a good magician, you also have to a good entertainer. You achieve that by adding dialogue or a script to your act. Making people laugh and smile is a sign that you are amusing them. Once you have enough skill, you can get someone from the audience to help you perform the act so he or she can feel that they are part of the show.

Wearing a comfortable outfit is just a small part of the show. To draw a crowd, you have to select a place that has a lot of traffic as this will likely attract more attention. A good example could be near the subway station. Ideally, the area should be closed off to vehicular traffic. If there is a place where street magic is done regularly, find a spot there to put on your show.

The first act is the most important so make sure that it is very good so that others who walk by will stop and see what is going on. Make sure to make your voice loud yet clear so even people in the back can hear what you are saying. As mentioned before, get people from the audience to help you out because street magicians do not have any assistants whenever they perform a show.

When you are ending the act, don’t forget to ask for donations by putting a hat on the ground or carrying this around the crowd. Most people give a small contribution which is not bad for a few minutes of work. Don’t forget to thank them and try to come up with better tricks so there is always something different each time you go to your spot.

Performing magic tricks in the streets won’t help you make a fortune but it is a lot of fun. Who knows? You could get lucky and someone there in the audience could just give you that big break you were looking for or maybe hire you to do a small gig which will probably pay more than the dollars and pennies you find inside that hat.

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