Become a Better Magician With Enjoyable Practice

Human beings only do things they like to do. If they do things they don’t like, they don’t do them for very long.

You’ve probably heard that the secret to become a better magician is practice, practice, practice. But that’s easier said than done. As with any new activity, we start full of motivation, but that soon runs thin, and many people just can’t seem to stay motivated enough to reap the rewards that consistent long-term practice brings. We all know consistent practice over time is the key to becoming a better magician, but how is that maintained?

The secret lies in finding a way to practice that you enjoy. This principle is especially true when learning the art of magic. Our art requires us to commit to practice and rehearsal in private, over and over again, with constant appraisal and adjustment. It’s a far cry from the rush of performing to an audience and the buzz of entertaining and creating wonder. We must develop ways to make our practice time as fun as possible.

Why Enjoyable Practice Matters

When you engage in activities you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick with them. Practicing magic should be no different. You’ll quickly burn out and lose interest if you force yourself to slog through routines that bore or frustrate you. On the other hand, if you find ways to make your practice sessions fun and engaging, you’ll look forward to them and keep coming back for more.

Crafting Your Perfect Practice Routine

The key to sustainable practice is to find a routine that works for you. This involves a bit of experimentation and self-discovery, but it’s well worth the effort. Here are some tips to help you develop a better magician practice pattern that you’ll enjoy and maintain:

Realistic Goals

Start with small, achievable magic goals. Instead of aiming to master an entire routine in one go, break it down into manageable parts. For example, choose a specific trick you would like to master. That’s your overall goal, but it’s made of much smaller parts that are also goals. Map those out… for example, you might list the sleights required and then the gestures, expressions and subtleties that fit between the sleights. Then, the pattern and how it anchors each part of the trick and its mechanics. Start with just one of the sleights as your first goal to achieve. Drill that move and master it, then move to the next goal… Work on each of these individually as small goals to achieve. Celebrate your progress as you go along. This will keep you motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Mix It Up

Variety is the spice of life and applies to your practice sessions, too. Mix up your practice routines to keep things interesting. Alternate between sleight-of-hand techniques, learn new tricks, and revisit old ones. Work on a coin trick for a three-week practice cycle, then switch to working and a new card control for the next three-week cycle. This way, you won’t get bored doing the same thing repeatedly.

Make It Fun

Incorporate elements that you find enjoyable. This could be practising with a friend, setting your practice to music, or creating a themed practice session. If you’re having fun, you’ll likely stick with it.

Track Your Progress

Keep a journal or log of your practice sessions as you work to become a better magician. Note what you worked on, what went well, and what needs improvement. This helps you stay organized and lets you see how far you’ve come, which can be incredibly motivating. Evernote.com is an excellent website and app for storing these notes, recording videos of your practice sessions, and creating reminder notes for each effects mechanics

Balance Work and Rest

Remember, you can only put so much energy into your magic practice each week. Don’t overdo it. Balance your practice sessions with rest and relaxation. This ensures you stay fresh and avoid burnout.

Making the Most of Your Energy

Recognise that your energy is finite. If you try to practice for hours daily, you’re likely to exhaust yourself. Instead, focus on the quality of your practice rather than the quantity. In his book Approaching Magic Practice, Dominic Reyes recommends small, regular sessions of just 10 minutes, twice a day in 3-week cycles. A well-structured, enjoyable 10-minute session can be far more productive than a two-hour slog.

Finding Your Rhythm

Every magician is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to practice. Pay attention to what works for you. Maybe you practice best in the morning, or perhaps you’re more focused in the evening. Tailor your practice schedule to fit your natural rhythms and preferences. Two short sessions per day with time between them easily fit into a busy day.

In the world of magic, consistency is key, but enjoyment fuels that consistency. By crafting a practice routine you genuinely enjoy, you’ll become a better magician and keep your passion for magic alive. Remember, the magic isn’t just in the tricks you perform; it’s in the joy and excitement you bring to your practice.

Unveiling Your Unique Magical Persona – Balancing Charisma and Authenticity

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

Adam asks: I am struggling with finding my unique style. I am quite laid back but don’t want that to come across as boring or uncharismatic. I am also not naturally intense like some of my favourite magicians, such as Nate Staniforth or David Blaine. I am funny but mainly in response to other people rather than through ‘jokes’. How do I hone my unique persona when it comes to performing magic professionally vs with friends?

Finding your unique magical persona can be daunting. It’s common for magicians to grapple with developing a persona that reflects their personality while captivating their audience. When I started out, I didn’t know how to present myself. Should I try to be funny? Would a more mysterious character be more in line? How do I create an entertaining persona which won’t come across as ‘fake’. That’s especially hard when you start out because the vast majority of your audience already knows you ‘in real life’ so switching to a magical persona is jarring for them and not authentic.

If you’re a laid-back magician who wants to avoid coming across as boring or uncharismatic, and you rely more on humour in response to others rather than traditional jokes, fear not!, Let’s explore strategies to help you hone your unique magical persona when performing magic professionally versus performing magic for family and friends.

Your charisma lies in your authenticity.

Leverage Humor in Your Performances:

Your ability to respond humorously to others is a wonderful trait that can set you apart. Rather than relying on pre-scripted jokes, build connections with your audience through witty banter and spontaneous interactions. Develop observational skills to spot humorous situations, creating memorable, light-hearted moments that engage and delight your spectators. That goes down very well with British audiences that tend not to like ‘characters’ as much as natural, witty personalities. Don’t take yourself too seriously, have a twinkle in your eye and a cheeky smile… It goes a long way in making your magic more enjoyable without having to be a ‘character’ A good example of the folly of a serious character is Phil Goldstein’s character Max Maxen. A fantastic master magician… But Phil often hinted himself that the character may have held him back because it was aloof, otherworldly, and relatable.

Personalize Your Magic Routines:

As you craft your magical routines, infuse them with elements that resonate with your interests, experiences, or hobbies. This personal touch adds authenticity to your performances, making them more relatable and memorable. Perhaps you can incorporate references to your favourite activities or use objects of personal significance. By weaving these unique elements into your magic, you’ll create a distinct style that reflects your personality.

Adaptation: Professional vs. Informal Settings:

You might need to adjust your magical persona slightly to suit the context when performing as a professional magician. While staying true to your nature, consider trying a touch of sophistication to meet the expectations of your audience. Understand the demographics and preferences of your audience to tailor your performances accordingly.

But what about when I’m performing my magic for friends and family? You can fully embrace your natural persona when performing for friends or in informal settings. Focus on creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere where your humour and laid-back demeanour can flourish without constraints. These more intimate performances allow your unique style to shine.

Study and Learn from Others:

While you aim to develop your magical persona, it’s important to learn from the masters of the craft. Study magicians who inspire you, like Nate Staniforth and David Blaine, to understand their techniques and stage presence. Analyze what aspects resonate with you and consider how to adapt those elements to fit your magical persona. Remember, the goal is not to mimic them but to draw inspiration from their charisma and stage presence to enhance your performance.

Finding your unique magical persona requires a delicate balance between embracing your true nature, leveraging your humour, personalizing your routines, and adapting to different performance settings. Embrace your individuality and let it shine through your performances. Remember, your charisma lies in your authenticity. With practice and perseverance, you will develop a captivating, magical persona that leaves audiences spellbound professionally and among friends. So, weave your enchanting tapestry of magic, adding your distinctive flair to the world of illusions!

If you have a question for the magicians at Merchant of Magic send me an email via the support section. I try to answer as many as possible and turn some into posts here.

Best wishes and good luck with your magic

Dominic Reyes

The 3 Best Magic Books for Kids

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

Peter writes: I’m looking for some advice on magic books for kids. She’s 10 years old and very bright, but not very handy. I used to do a lot of magic some 50 years ago, and am now showing her some of what I remember (and still can do with my arthritic 65 year old fingers).

Hi Peter,

Great to hear that you are passing on your love of magic to your daughter. It’s a great hobby for her to get into, and a nice break from screens and apps… I think a good way to go is to pick one of the more modern texts on card magic. Royal Road to Card Magic is great but it way written so long ago that it’s hard going for most people, let alone a younger magician. One of the best magic books for kids who want clear, clean, simple instruction. This book that will teach her a range of excellent magic is this one:

Magic The Complete Course – By Joshua Jay

The magic book is well written, easy to understand, engaging and fun. Best of all.. The card magic taught within it is a brilliant foundation for her to develop further if she wants to become a card magic expert.

They become classics for a good reason.

For a classic book that is stuffed full of magic she will love, Including 9 some excellent foundation level card magic) this book wins a place on our ‘must have magic bookshelf’:

Best Magic Books For Kids - Mark Wilson Course

Mark Wilsons Complete Course in Magic

Mark Wilson was one of the worlds most respected master magicians. The magic book is a complete and comprehensive magic “teach-in” with over 300 classic tricks from sleight of hand to levitation are explained in full detail within this impressive 503-page magic book. It’s one of the best card magic books for kids, and you’ll be dipping into it yourself too.

Choose a series of magic books for kids.

The card college series of magic books stand out as THE core series of sleight of hand magic with cards. This book is a perfect first step into a series she would be reading, and learning from for years to come:

Card College Light

Card College is the world’s most acclaimed card magic books course and Card College Light, focuses entirely on professional caliber card magic tricks requiring no manipulative skill.
The book is intended for everyone who has always wanted to perform card tricks, but who didn’t have the time necessary to learn complex routines, or the years necessary to master difficult techniques. So, yes, this book is certainly great for your 10 year old and will naturally push her softly towards developing sleight of hand skills as her confidence in magic grows.

But what about if visual learning is more her thing?

A good download course on card magic could also be an option:

Easy Card Tricks Complete Course With Sean Heydon – INSTANT DOWNLOAD

Sean Heydon has a great reputation in the magic world for his card magic, and this beginners series of tutorial videos will teach your 10 year old some brilliant magic at her pace. She can watch the videos online anywhere and work through each lesson.

The online card magic course teaches 9 of his most powerful card tricks that anybody can learn, as well as some extra moves and card magic secrets that all card magicians should master.

I hope these suggestions for card magic books for kids will help you and your 10 year old to learn some great magic and best of all, to have fun together. Giving someone help to fall in love with magic is a gift for their whole life, and I wish you both many happy hours amazing each other.

Best wishes

Dominic Reyes