We received this question today. It’s very common for us to be asked what magic trick should I learn next.. Here’s the answers from the MoM team:

Paul Knight: The first suggestion I highly recommend is a DVD called Fiber Optics Extended. Fiber Optics is a highly visual rope routine that lasts between 2 and 5 minutes, is ideal for one on one or groups of people, perfect for close up or stage and resets instantly. Another excellent plus point of this rope trick is it takes up very little pocket space. I personally use this at every booking and often get asked to show it again. If its non card magic your after I highly recommend Fiber Optics.

Secondly I would recommend a good chop cup routine. The World’s Greatest Magic Chop Cup routines is a good reference point for chop cup routines. The beauty of a Chop cup routine is that yet again it is highly visual and involves a lot of audience participation. Plus it guarantees great reactions when you reveal the final load(s) whether it be fruit, or any other large item. Another great point is the chop cup routine leads great into a bill in lemon routine which is a classic crowd pleaser.

Finally I would recommend a DVD jam packed full of impromptu routines. On the Spot by Gregory Wilson this covers lots of excellent tricks with things that you will have either on you already or items that are easily borrowed. This DVD has Greg performing all of these routines live which in itself is priceless. Hope this helps!

Ben Williams: Hi Sam, the sponge balls DVD is a great idea, sponge ball magic really helps you learn the basics of sleight of hand so you will quickly learn vanishes, productions and linking these elements together to create a routine. You may want to look into some sleight of hand with coins tutorials also as the sooner you begin with coins, the better. Coin magic is not like card magic, some coin magic is very easy but then as you progress you are training your hands to use muscles that they don’t usually use so the sooner you start, the better!! Learning from a DVD like In The Beginning There Were Coins

My top 5 suggestions I would recommend to take your magic outside of the realm of card magic and into everyday objects are:

1) Psypher – This is one of the best tools you can use for mind reading.
2) First Hand – A really visual change of money on the spectator’s hand.
3) Loops – For animations and small levitations
4) Stitched – A fantastic illusion where you heal a rip in your jeans.
5) Self Tying Shoelace – You tie your shoelaces without touching them, killer!

These are some of my favourite tricks to perform, besides my own tricks of course 😉 (just check our Ben Williams section in the magic shop)!

Dominic Reyes : Sam, It’s great news that you are looking to add in some material into your sets that don’t involve playing cards. Nothing wrong with cards at all, but it can be very easy to overly focus on card magic, the more you get into it. As you learn more and more material, it’s a big jump to start right at the beginning with a new field of magic.  The great news is that most of the skills you learn in any area of magic are transferable. After all, misdirection, is misdirection, regardless of the props you use. You mention that you were thinking of using Easy Vanish. It’s good, in that it does exactly what is promises, but it is a short cut, at the end of the day. You would send your time more wisely, by studying an introduction to coin magic DVD to pick up some easy vanishes you can do anytime.