How to do Magic Tricks

Advice and Support for Magicians

Am I Too Old to Get Into Magic and How Should I Start?

by Dominic Reyes 4 Comments

I’m 36 and just wondering if I’m too old to get into magic? If not what sort of thing should I be practising, I would like to start up close street magic, misdirection card magic, that kind of thing. Not really sure where to start. Thank you – Craig 

Too old to get into magic

Hi Craig

You’re 100% not too old to get into magic my friend… I know a LOT of great card magicians that started to learn in their fifties or sixties once they had retired. You’re still a spring chicken… In fact, because most of the skill is in your presentation, it means your life experience works in your favour, and you will command more control and attention from your audience

Case in point. Paul Daniels was 39 when he got his big break. That gives you over 3 years of solid practice before it’s your turn… Plenty of time 🙂

Seriously though.  Get out of your head about it.. Just learn great tricks one at a time and have fun..

So, If you agree with me that you are NOT too old to get into magic, You too main approaches:

1)You can Focus on easy self-working methods and presenting them in an entertaining way

2) Tackle sleight of hand that that is going to require a lot of work to master the mechanics ON TOP of presenting the tricks in an entertaining way.

Either way is fine.. or perhaps you will do a little of both… It doesn’t matter!

The ONLY important result is that you have some magic that you can perform well that other people find entertaining to watch. Being caught up on the methods you use, is like not seeming the wood for the trees.. Magicians perform magic, rather than techniques.

Personally, I’d pick a few self working tricks to begin with. Forget about learning sleight of hand for a few months and just master two or three tricks that are very easy to do. Pick up a Svengali deck, or a Cap and Coin Monte set. Perhaps go for something like off world. Easy methods to get you going.. Then a few months later, add in a technique. The Elmsley count perhaps…

If you prefer to start a course of sleight of hand right away, maybe go for a structured learning system. I’d start with the sleight of hand beginners course here: https://www.magicshop.co.uk/sleight-of-hand-for-beginners-dvd-training-course

Or if you want to just dip your toe in, this DVD: https://www.magicshop.co.uk/born-to-perform-card-magic-by-oz-pearlman

The truth is that magic is a wonderful hobby for any age group, There’s something for everyone and the young have no real advantage over the old when it comes to entertaining people. If you want to go for it.. Begin now!

Best wishes

Dominic Reyes

 

Magicians On Twitter

 

Next:

The 4 Core Tricks Every Magician Should Learn

Is Expert at the Card Table Worth Reading?

NEXT:

  • I want to start performing magic commercially again - How?
    I want to start performing magic commercially again - How?
  • Magic Podcast 16 - How to Start a Business as a Magician
    Magic Podcast 16 - How to Start a Business as a Magician
  • 6 Free Magic Tricks From Jay Sankey
  • Anniversary Waltz Free Magic Download
  • Approaching Magic Practice Ebook
  • Approaching Tables Ebook
  • Recommended For Magic Beginners
  • Cagey Tutorial
  • Choose Magic Set Kids
  • Cloud of Smoke Free Ebook
  • Double Lift Project Free Download
  • Duplex Free Magic Download
  • Epoch Free Magic Tutorials
  • Electric Touch Free Ebook
  • False Shuffles and Cuts Magic Download
  • Faster Than Light - Magic Download
  • Finger-Exercises
  • How to Break In Playing Cards
  • How to Learn Magic Tricks
  • Tips for Leaving a Magic Gigi
  • LSQ Ebook - Free
  • Magicians Fees Ebook
  • Mistakes in Magic Ebook
  • More Icandy
  • The One Minute Magic Business Ebook
  • Pitfalls Magic Family and Friends
  • Safe - Free Magic Ebook
  • School of Cool Free Download
  • Sleight of Hand Beginners Course
  • Split Free Magic Video Download
  • Self Working Card Tricks Vol 2 Download
  • Sweet 360 Free Magic Download
  • The 80's Called Download
  • Self Working Card Tricks Vol 3
  • Think Tank Free Magic Download
  • Turnover Pass Free Download
  • Self Working Card Tricks Download
  • Understanding Misdirection Free Ebook
  • Watch It Free Ebook
  • Wedding Exhibition Guide for Magicians
  • Confidence For Magicians
  • The Indian Shuffle

Filed Under: how to do magic tricks Tagged With: life magic learning

Comments

  1. Willie Yee says

    June 21, 2019 at 10:31 pm

    I am 75, and started magic three years ago. My teacher said I was the fastest learning student he ever had, and advised me to attend a Master Class and McBride’s Magic and Mystery School.

    I am having the time of my life.

    Reply
  2. Paul says

    July 15, 2019 at 1:27 pm

    Hi Craig,
    No you are not, I didn’t pick up the RRTCM magic book till i was 48, I am 50 now and have just had my first paid gig for someones birthday party, and i have my first wedding in November. I just wish I started at 36 😉

    Reply
  3. Geoff says

    August 4, 2020 at 10:36 am

    I didn’t start doing card magic until I was 52. The inspiration was as a result of booking a magician for our Silver Wedding Anniversary party in 2010. I am now 62 and although I don’t perform professionally, I really enjoy doing tricks for family & friends. I also love the challenge of learning new sleights and tricks and find studying dvds and books, especially theory books, fascinating. A great hobby to keep the mind active at whatever level.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Prevent Magic Burnout says:
    February 21, 2019 at 4:56 pm

    […] Am I Too Old To Start Learning Magic? […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GET WEEKLY UPDATES

Get Free articles sent to your inbox that will help you, your magic, and your performance.

Thanks! You have Subscribed.

SEARCH THE BLOG

GET A FREE MAGIC TRICK


GET A FREE MAGIC TRICK

Download your free magic trick FINK courtesy of Ben Harris.

Fink is an interesting effect: a crazy concoction of Luke Dancy's GRAB, Ben Harris's Through the universe backwards, and Fandango. Created by Kyle MacNeill

BEGINNERS START HERE

BEGINNER MAGIC SECTION

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Read Our Privacy Policy

RECENT POSTS

  • Magic Shops that accept Bitcoin and Ethereum Cryptocurrency
  • Behind the Curtain Magic Trick Review – Punch’d
  • Social Distancing For Magicians – After The Covid 19 Lockdown
  • Coin Box Magic – Free Download
  • Which Fire Wallet Is Right For You?

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

SEE WHAT’S JUST ARRIVED TO THE MAGIC SHOP

SEE WHAT'S JUST ARRIVED TO THE MAGIC SHOP

THE MAGIC SHOP

  • TESTIMONIALS
  • BEGINNERS START HERE
  • GIFT IDEAS
  • MAGIC SETS
  • CARD MAGIC TRICKS
  • CLOSE-UP MAGIC TRICKS
  • MAGIC DVDS
  • MAGIC BOOKS
  • COIN MAGIC TRICKS
  • PLAYING CARDS
  • MIND MAGIC TRICKS
  • MEET THE TEAM

SEE WHAT’S COMING SOON

SEE WHAT'S COMING SOON

PAUL HARRIS SECTION

PAUL HARRIS SECTION

ELLUSIONIST SECTION

ELLUSIONIST SECTION

JAY SANKEY SECTION

JAY SANKEY SECTION

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in