How to do Magic Tricks

Advice and Support for Magicians

I Want to Be Like Derren Brown

by Merchant of Magic 26 Comments

I-WANT-TO-BE-DERREN-BROWNDerren Brown is at the top of his game at the moment, and quite deservedly so. His shows are well produced, entertaining and generally awesome. From the perspective of the magic community, they are one of the best things to happen to magic in many years. Inspiring a whole new wave of future magicians and mentalists to start the journey into magic and mentalism. But where do they start?

There is a huge range of material on the market promising to teach you the techniques and secrets of Derren Brown. Most can be quite low quality, with more hype than content. So we are often asked which training books and DVD’s are the best in our opinion, to get a beginner started. This is what we usually suggest:

 

The first step:

13-steps-to-mentalism

13 Steps to Mentalism by Corinda 

This is the core source for starting to learn mind reading and mentalism tricks. Perfect for beginners, the book requires no previous knowledge and will show you the fundamentals as well as the presentation and performance skills to get the best from them. This belongs on every mentalists hands.

 

Banachek-PSI-1-SMALL

Banachek PSI Series DVD

A great series of DVD’s teaching mentalism for both the casual performer and the seasoned professional. For those of us that prefer to learn from a DVD, this is great material that is easy to perform and teaches you the core principles you will need, along the way.

 

realityTT1

Reality is Plastic – Ebook

If you want to dive into the world of hypnosis, but designed for magicians rather than stage shows, then this ebook by Anthony Jacquin is highly recommended. Derren Brown is know for his extensive use of impromptu hypnosis, and this ebook is probably one of the best ways to begin to learn these techniques.

Mentalism is general is very much presentation based. Often the props are simple, sometimes no more than a pen and a sheet of paper. The power of the tricks comes from how they are performed, and the interaction between the performer and the spectators. Knowing the secrets, is a very small part of the learning process.  We strongly suggest that you seek out every opportunity to watch other mentalists as much as possible. Go and watch how Derren Brown performs magic in his latest show and pick up the DVD’s of his previous shows. They don’t teach how he does the tricks, but they will teach you the way he presents them. His showmanship is world class, and priceless tuition for you.

Official Site for Derren Brown Show information

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Filed Under: how to do magic tricks Tagged With: beginners, mentalism, mind reading, recommended, showmanship

Comments

  1. kieron johnson says

    December 9, 2012 at 7:24 pm

    one of the best DVDs for me when i started out was liquid metal by Morgan Srebler and psychokinetic silver ware by banercheck it was hard work but worth it i was able to make my own unique routine from these DVDs this is also the piece that got me the contract at Darren browns old residencies trust me you needs these DVDs. I would also urge you to check out Christopher Dee metal DVD.

    If you can spare the money and want an instant strong mental piece get sixth sense by Hugo Shelly it is amazing and is perfect for stage and close up and will make you look like a master of the mind and the best thing it is easy to do.

    Kieron Johnson

    Reply
  2. Chris Somerville says

    December 25, 2012 at 11:39 am

    I would agree that Corinda’s is a very useful reference but to get to the core of mentalism I think you need to start with Anneman.

    Reply
    • The Merchant of Magic says

      January 16, 2013 at 11:32 am

      I agree! http://www.magicshop.co.uk/p3704/Practical_Mental_Magic_-_By_Theodore_Annemann_-_Book/product_info.html

      Reply
  3. Anonymous says

    December 27, 2012 at 4:56 am

    Looking over many of the many, many pages of products, the ones that stood out to me as best meeting the needs of new mentalists are:

    1) The Principles of Mentalism by Richard Osterlind

    2) Beyond Fundamentals CD by Bob Cassidy

    3) Artful Mentalism: And Evening With Bob Cassidy.

    After Corinda and Annemann, Richard and Bob’s woks are essential for learning the truly important secrets of performing powerful mentalism.

    Reply
    • The Merchant of Magic says

      January 16, 2013 at 11:32 am

      Very good suggestions Thanks

      Reply
  4. Rich Avery says

    February 12, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    It’s not the best for mentalism alone, but a book I have got a lot of mileage from (for mentalism, sleights and magic in general) is ‘Street Magic’ by Paul Zenon. In it he covers some tricks for someone beginning in mentalism (there is a chapter entitled ‘Mind Magic’), as well as outlining some sleights and gimmicks which can be used in mentalist effects. Very good for then designing your own effects based on the knowledge gained.

    (It’s such a good book that a lot of magicians in various forums were furious that it is on general sale, and apparently some members of the Magic Circle were worried because it can be found in book shops and contains a relatively large amount of magic secrets.)

    Reply
    • The Merchant of Magic says

      February 12, 2013 at 2:04 pm

      Good tip Rich. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
  5. david noble says

    March 16, 2013 at 3:49 am

    Derren brown’s very own lecture dvd is a must watch in my opinion, in which he gives a 45 minuite live performance followed by a very interesting disscussion about alot of the techniques he uses.
    He also teaches an effect where a spectator shuffles a deck and derren with his back turned names every card in order, and demonstrates mentally forcing an imaginary card. A very interesting dvd which i would highly recomend

    Reply
  6. eam says

    September 12, 2013 at 11:03 am

    For the younger generation starting out Matt Mello's modern mentalism introduces some important principles.

     

    Reply
  7. Benie Amler says

    December 1, 2013 at 2:34 am

    Having been a mentalist for many years and having even appeared at International Conventions (keeping my professional name incognito), I must highly recommend Annemanns Practical Mentalism and Corindas 13 Steps to Mentalism. Oh, if only Maurice Fogel had written a book, I would have given my eye teeth for it.

    Reply
  8. Laura Eisele says

    January 1, 2014 at 2:10 am

    Corinda – Annemann's Practical Mental Magic – PS1,2,3 Banachek  Maximum Entertainment – Ken Weber 

    The principles of mentalism – Richard Osterlind 

    Reply
    • Dominic Reyes says

      January 2, 2014 at 10:34 am

      Good suggestions! Principles of Mentalism is excellent.  Thanks for posting!

      Reply
  9. Victor says

    February 26, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Peter Turner is one of the best mentalist out there 😀 !!!

    Reply
  10. Ulrich says

    May 12, 2014 at 6:49 am

    My first contact with the mental magic was the German translation in the Inter Magic by Rudolf Braunmüller of Mental Magick of Basil Horwitz, and until today I find the material very good.
    Greetings from Germany
    Ulrich

    Reply
  11. Luke Ensey says

    May 27, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Hello Dominic,One of the best mentalism effects I use is dark arts,form Matt Mello,Modern Mentalism.Always gets great reactions.Hope this helps.Best regards,Luke.

    Reply
    • Dominic Reyes says

      May 29, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      Matt Mello’s Modern Mentalism is such a good source. Thanks for sharing that Luke

      Reply
  12. learn mentalism tricks says

    June 9, 2014 at 10:18 am

    13 steps to mentalism is a must for everyone who want to learn some mentalism tricks. that’s for sure. It’s also a good thing to practice some “regular” magic to get into performance art.

    Reply
  13. Ryan says

    June 30, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    1 of my favourite effects I use all the time is Psypher by Robert Smith.
    Hope this helps?

    Reply
  14. Neil says

    July 27, 2014 at 8:57 am

    In my opinion Ben William’s ANY WORD. As you rightly say, it’s all in how it’s presented.

    Reply
  15. Brian Foley (@theamazinggreat) says

    July 27, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    Anneman’s “Practical Mental Magic” and Corinda’s “Thirteen Steps to Mentalism” are a must if you are going to be literate in this field. They will help you with everything you learn after that. It’s like learning to read music if you are going to be a musician.

    Best of luck!

    Reply
  16. Mick says

    July 31, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Richard Osterlind covers just about everything a beginner (or pro) could wish for in the following dvd collections.

    Annemann’s Practical Mental Effects vol 1-6
    Corinda’s 13 steps to mentalism vol 1-6
    Easy To Master Mental Miracles vol 1-7
    Mind Mysteries vol 1-7
    No Camera Tricks vol 1-4

    Easy to learn from,and entertaining to watch,Richard brings classic effects up to date,not only revealing the methods,but also the important subtleties that combine to form a truly great performance.
    Foundations don’t come any stronger than these….

    Reply
  17. Zachary says

    October 6, 2014 at 8:20 am

    I think that Luke Jermay’s Making Mind Reading Look Real is a good start for helping beginner mentalist focus on presentation rather than effects.

    Reply
  18. TicTac says

    January 6, 2015 at 2:16 am

    I would recommend Henning Nelms “Magic and Showmanship; a handbook for conjurors” to every magician, but especially to Mentalists. There is often little to see in mentalism, so the presentation must be spot on. Also the principle of conservation in performance goes a long way in making people believe that what you’re doing is real. Or could be… I enjoy when spectators don’t even know that what they just saw even was a “trick”.
    It works for Derren.

    Reply
  19. PeteBrodie says

    September 30, 2015 at 7:05 pm

    Bob Cassidy must be read after you have read Anneman.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Famous Magicians - Who is your Favourite Magician? How to do Magic Tricks says:
    January 7, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    […] of liberty disappear than reappear and all in front of a live crowd.   Andrew Harding Derren Brown, because he is awesome and you are left questioning and trying to work out how he did the trick or […]

    Reply
  2. Derren Brown - Revealing the Secrets of Derren Brown says:
    October 4, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    […] you are inspired by the approach Derren Brown takes, experiment with the source of your magic. You can turn a stale trick, that you don’t […]

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