So, you want to learn magic. Maybe you want to entertain friends and family, perform children’s shows, or you aspire to perform magic professionally…
Where do you begin with magic tutorials?
Well, by having a keen interest in magic is just the beginning of the journey. There are so many different areas and styles of magic, and so many different ways of learning. At first, it can all seems like a bit of a minefield.
The first thing to do is to decide upon the type of magic you wish to focus on. Once you have done this you can crack on with the fun part –selecting the magic tricks you wish to learn, practicing them, perfecting them and then performing them.
Here are some of the worlds most respected online magic tutorials to get you well on your way, with whichever area you choose to focus on.
Card Magic Tutorials
Every magician knows a good handful of card tricks, some even know hundreds. Personally, I love ‘good’ card magic. But the question is – what is ‘good’ card magic, and what is not? Again, this is subjective – I believe any card effect can be good, but only if it is performed well. So it is important that you start from the right point, and learn from a good, reliable source. Any of the following suggestions will get you well on your way to performing some excellent card magic, whether it be quick close up effects, or full-length routines. They will teach you the essential sleights and moves required, which once learnt will always be a useful and essential part of your arsenal.
If I were asked by a beginner to recommend a starting place, it would be the following.
Born to Perform Card Magic by Oz Pearlman. This DVD will take you from learning how to correctly hold a deck of playing cards to doing amazing card magic, flourishes and sleight of hand. Oz teaches you not only how to perform the magic in a very well thought out and concise way, but possibly more importantly how to interact and engage with an audience.
If you are looking for a more in depth approach, than Michael Ammars Easy to master card Miracles DVD set, volumes 1 – 9 contain, quite simply, some of the greatest card routines ever, fully performed and explained in Michael Ammar’s excellent style. These are classics for good reason, and you couldn’t learn them from a better teacher.
Coin Magic Tutorials
The beauty of coin magic is that it can perform at a moments notice with the normal coins in your pocket, or the spectator’s own money, and, you can practice just about anywhere!
If you’re looking to get into coin magic as quickly as possible, and want to learn all the essential moves and some top quality routines, you can’t go far wrong with any of the following –
The complete introduction to Coin magic by Michael Ammar is again, expert tuition, expert performances and excellent value. By studying this tutorial you will be taught the fundamental essentials of coin magic, along with routines using these techniques.
In the Beginning there were Coins is another fantastic resource. Jay Noblezada’s modern style and incredibly easy to follow magic tutorials will get you handling coins and performing impromptu sleight of hand with borrowed coins in no time.
Alternatively, for the more serious student, wishing to learn the essentials through a progressive and detailed journey from beginner to expert, then David Roth’s expert coin magic made easy Volumes 1 – 3 will take you step by step. Volume one teaches you the basics of coin magic. Volume two takes you from beginner to Intermediate, and finally Volume three will take you from Intermediate to Advanced. A thorough course. David Roth is renowned as the worlds greatest coin magician, so, rest assured, you couldn’t be in better hands.
General Magic Tutorials
What is general magic? By this we mean mind reading, magic with cards, money, sponge, string, finger rings, rubber bands, balloons, pens and more. Focussing on general magic will show your audience that you have diversity. Also, it means that you could apply the tricks you have learnt to either adults or children. The beauty with this magic is that it appeals to all.
The Exciting world of magic by Michael Ammar is the perfect place to begin. Covering a large range of effects using all kinds of different objects, and covering a whole range of styles, you could very easily take a handful of these effects and put together an entire act. But it doesn’t stop there. Michael has also gone to the lengths to offer advice on magic clubs, magazines, attending conventions, practice tips, psychology, and the golden rules of magic. An excellent package.
Magic the Complete Course is a book/ DVD combo that teaches loads of magic using everyday objects. Some can be borrowed, some need preparation, however, all of the content covered is simply brilliant.
Fooler Doolers by Daryl volumes 1, 2 and 3 are the next level. Daryl (the magician’s magician) performs and explains some of the most entertaining magic out there. Every routine is commercial, and again, a full professional routine could be made from just some of the effects included here. The hardest part will be choosing just which ones you wish to use. This set comes highly recommended.
These are just my personal recommendations, but all of these have stood the test of time. Any of these will get you well on your way into magic. Don’t be mistaken though. These are not just for beginners. I personally know many professionals who regularly revisit these classics, and who regularly perform routines straight out of these products for paying customers.
So… What are you waiting for?
What are your favorite magic tutorials? If you could only learn from one source, what would it be? Leave a comment in the section below.
