Visual Sleight of Hand Techniques to do with Coins or Rings – Ratings

Clint asks:

'I would like some really visual slight of hand techniques that I can do with coins or rings. While I have some experience with cups and balls, linking rings, and card tricks, I am pretty new to pure slight of hand.'

Adding some a few routines or even a small 'bridge section' into your act, that involves some sure sleight of hand with everyday objects such as rings or coins, can both impress your audiance and add balance to your act. I'll suggest some of the best visual sleight of hand routines to consider adding to your act, but first, a warning..

Being Consistant

Visual sleight of hand techniques take a great deal of practice to master, so it's important to take the time to choose sleights or magic routines carefully, so your time is effectivly used.

Have you ever seen Derren Brown suddendy launch into a coin coin flourish routine in the middle of his show? How about Dynamo Magician Impossible performing Hippity Hoppity Rabbits? These magicians have a consistant image that they reinforce by the types of magic tricks they perform. In your magic, we recommend that you do the same. The magic tricks you choose to learn should complement your existing material. If your card magic tends to have a gambling theme, them adding in some coin magic, or poker chip tricks, will keep the act 'on theme'. Conversly, if you have a high degree of comedy running through your presentations, then a sudden display of card fourishing, whilst looking inpressive, will not 'fit' with your act. Make sure you choose magic tricks that work together to tell a greater story, or communicate a common message about your act in general.

Here's 5 of the most popular visual sleight of hand teaching guides that professional magicians order from the magic shop:

World Class Manipulation Jeff McBride

Jeff McBride is one of the most famous sleight of hand magicians in the world. His complete understanding of sleight of hand magic is first class. As a teacher, he is an engaging and enthusiastic speaker on the meaning of magic and its place the world. In this DVD, Jeff teaches techniques of the master sleight of hand experts. Jeff walks you step by step through a wide range of techniques. A lifetime of sleight of hand can be mastered with this DVD.

Ring Thing

Although this isn't hardcore sleight of hand, it gets the same reaction from the public. It's a fast and easy way to introduce sleight of hand manipulation into your working set. David Blaine, Jeff McBride and Gregory Wilson among others speak very highly of Ring Thing, with good reason!

It’s a fast, visual, ring magic routine that can be performed anywhere. You remove your finger ring, throw it back at your hand , and it instantly returns to your finger!

Sick – By Ponta the Smith

Fancy mastering some serious coin magic? This is a coin magic DVD teaching how to make coins smoothly disappear, reappear and change right in front of peoples faces. Working in just one of these sleight of hand techniques can lift the whole of your act to a new level.

De Ring

This without doubt the most awesome teaching guide for ring manipulation that you can own. De'vo's ring sleight of hand is simply stunning. De'vo has been performing ring manipulation for over 20 years. The style and technique taught will have you in disbelief! Finger ring magic, taught by the finest sleight of hand expert in the field.

Contact by Tyas Frantz – DVD

In Contact Juggling, balls are rolled across your hands and body in visually attractive patterns. Many magicians are starting to adopt this skill to build into their magic. Producing a ball by magic, then having it come to life and dance around the magician, before vanishing again.

Contact Jugglers use a range of objects from pens to tennis balls. The most common object is a 3" acrylic ball. Contact balls are clear, so they don't seem to be spinning. This allows the magician to produce a visual effect wherein the balls seem to be moving or floating across the body. It's that effect that sparks the interest of magicians to Contact Juggling.

What have we missed?

Those are the most popular training guides for sleight of hand with everyday objects. However, there is a huge range of excellent material on the market. What would you suggest? Leave a comment in the section below:

Liam Montier Interview – Performing Magic Vs Creating Magic Tricks

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

I asked creative magician Liam Montier how he got into magic and started inventing magic tricks.

Like many magicians during childhood, Liam Montier became obsessed by magic after seeing a magician perform. Liam studied everything he could find about magic, and by the age of 16, he was performing at weddings and social events. As magicians, it's important to remember that we are not only entertaining the public, but also acting as the inspiration for the next generation of magicians. Next time you are performing at a gig and a young person asks you how you got into magic, spare a moment to point them toward the first step in learning. Recommend that they read Royal Road to Card Magic or Mark Wilson's complete course in magic. You shouldn't expose methods to them, but a point in the right direction, that will require effort for them to 'follow up' is a very special thing to give someone. For you, it means little, but for someone who has been inspired by your magic, it could set them on the path of a life long hobby or career.

Liam Montier doesn't go magic gigs any more. He prefers to devote his time to the creative side of magic. For Liam, magic is all about what's new. He isn't motivated by creating a set professional 'act' which he would perform over and over again. He wants to spend his time pushing at ideas, forming new techniques and staying at the edge of magic discovery.

When asked what he regrets, Liam Montier wishes he had started working as a magician much sooner. Like so many magicians that spend countless hours practicing, he waiting around for things to happen to him. Waiting doesn't make things happen. Looking back, he understands that the best way to get what you want, is to go out and make it happen. Even just taking a small step forward each day, will get you there in the end. Standing still, and wishing for something, very rarely makes it happen. If you have been thinking about performing, but have been putting it off, why not make the commitment to no something today that will bring you closer to your first gig?

If you would like to learn more you can check out the very best work of Liam Montier here

Posted by Dominic Reyes

Interview with John Bannon – Magician and Magic Creator

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

By Dominic Reyes

John Bannon is without doubt, one of the worlds most respected creators of card magic tricks.

His card tricks are regularly used by most professional and hobbyist magicians. Don't just take my word for it:

‘John's material is fantastic.’ Bill Malone
‘Bannon is, without doubt, one of the best thinkers we have." David Regal
‘As usual I'm in awe of John's ingenuity’ Tomas Blomberg
'Its Bannon, 'nuff said' – Steve Brooks, The Magic Café
‘Magic with intellect from a true genius.’ George McBride

John spent a few moments to it dowm for a quick interview with The Merchant of Magic whilst recording a project at Magic Live in Las Vegas. We asked him:

How did you discover magic?
Tell us about your first show
What 3 things would you have done differently

Like many magicians, John Bannon discovered magic at an early age. Having fallen in love with the creative process of inventing magic tricks with playing cards, he reached the point where most kids lose interest and move on. However, for him, the journey didn't end and a life long process of discovery and invention was to follow. For all magicians, we face a hard choice in our development. At some point, life gets in the way of our practice. Pushing past these 'walls' or distractions is the only way to become a master magician. Maintaining a regular practice program, and ensuring that you keep a balance in your fife between magic and your other interests can keep you going and stop your motivation fading.

Like most magicians, John Bannon is a hobbyist. He had no particular pull or urge to perform. For John, the pleasure in magic comes from creation and problem solving. Although he wishes that he had performed more over the years, his story is a great example that you don't need to become a showman to enjoy magic.