Louis writes :

I have only really just started, but I have come a long way in a short time. I would really like to be able to handle the cards better and know more about caring for them. I would love to learn some more mentally orientated magic.

Also, every time I perform, even for my family, I get these shakes in my hands which are quite inhibiting for card handling. Is there any way I can stop them or are they just performance nerves and go away with time?

I would really like to improve my general card handling and make moves like double lifts and false cuts more elegant and smooth. Any tips?

That's great news that your magic is coming along. It sounds like you are really putting in the work!. You ask three questions here, so lets look at them one at a time:

1) Mentally Orientated Magic

Starting out with mentalism can pose some unique challenges. Unlike most sleight of hand that you are learning, the core techniques in mentalism fall into the realm of presentation. Many of the magic tricks have very simple methods, but relies on the magician creating the right presentation and interaction with the spectators to 'sell' the premise of the magic trick to them.

The good news is that there are several core texts or DVD's for beginners to start learning. Here are a few mind reading and mentalism training sources that we recommend.

2) Most people get nervous when they perform their magic tricks.

Family and friends can often be a far worse cause of shakes than performing for strangers. However, even professional magicians performing magic tricks for the public can get nerves just before a new show. The secret is how you deal with those feelings, and if you allow them to affect your performance. The good news is that the more you perform, the more control you will have over your nerves. Here are some tips to help you reduce the impact of nervousness on your magic performance.

3) Making your sleight of hand smooth and elegant is a key goal in magic practice.

It's very tempting to rush through the moves when you practice, but the key to building an elegant style is to slow down your practice. Be mindful of the finger positioning when you handle your playing cards. Ensure that you hold the deck with a light grip, and that your fingers and not hiding the anything or covering the deck more than they have to. Being mindful during your practice sessions with the help of a close up mirror that you can make yourself will soon show a positive change in the way you handle your props. In short: slow down your practice drills, to half the speed you are currently going. Focus on clarity of movement, over speed. It's a slow process, but the habit builds quickly.

Finger Exercises for Magicians – Free Ebook

by Dominic Reyes 2 Comments

How to add finger exercises for magicians into your magic practice, to protect your hands, and improve dexterity.

The aim of finger exercise is to build up finger speed, strength and overall dexterity. Through regular exercise, finger strength is also increased and you will see a marked difference in your ability to manipulate a deck of cards or a stack of coins.

Where the work happens

Your fingers don’t actually have muscles within them. The muscles which are used to work your fingers are located within your palms, and also on your arms. They are linked to the fingers by tendons, which control the fingers as the tendon ‘strings’ pull and relax.

The muscles in your palms are not very strong. They are designed to pull the fingers inwards to the palm. The stronger muscles that control the majority of your finger strength reside in your forearm. The tendons of these muscles travel through your wrist to your fingers. Because the power in your fingers is related to the strength of your arms, by toning these muscles, your gripping strength will improve.

For sleight of hand, the aim is to increase your suppleness by stretching the tendons to pull the muscles.

The Merchant of Magic has created a free ebook that will teach you simple, easy Finger Exercises for Magicians used by professional magicians as part of their sleight of hand practice sessions.

The 21 page ebook will teach you how to:

Develop dexterity, speed, and strength in your hands.
Avoid R.S.I injury.
Spot the symptoms of R.S.I
Improve focus and coordination.
Maintain healthy finger joints.
Improve your ability to manipulate playing cards or coins.
Understand how your muscles control your fingers.
Know when, where and how to exercise your fingers.
Much much more.

The Finger Exercises for Magicians ebook includes video tutorials of each exercise.

‘I found your exercises book and I can’t tell you how amazing my wrists and hands feel right now. I’m a writer/artist so I use my hands a LOT and I have always had a little trouble with pain in those areas from constantly typing (I type fast too so it can be a lot of strain) as such I tend to write for a bit and then have to stop, sometimes for several days at a time. When I read through the exercises I wondered if it might help with the typing as well. I haven’t done it long term yet but it really loosened the stiffness in my wrists and hands even just doing it once. I’m so grateful for you sharing this, I just wanted you to know. Thank you so very much!’ – Stephanie Valis

Body Language and Magicians – Confidence to Perform Magic Tricks

by Merchant of Magic 7 Comments

By Dominic Reyes

Amy Cuddy gave an excellent TED talk showing how body language can change not only how people see you, but also how you feel about yourself and your own abilities. For magicians, this is essential advice.

I highly recommend you take the time to watch her talk on this subject:

Close up magicians cold call social groups and attempt to form a relationship many times each booking. As you approach each group, you are making a first impression, in much the same way as a job interview. In the first few moments of your introduction, spectators are making assumptions about you based on your appearance, posture, expression and behaviour. A positive and confident approach goes a long way towards smoothing your introduction into the group and their willingness to give you attention.

Problems for magicians.

When a magician approaches a new group of people, he or she has several obstacles to overcome including:

Capturing attention.
Developing a rappor.
Dealing with alpha spectators in a power play for group attention.
Overcoming stereotypes.
Engaging interest in the magic.

That's a lot of work to do, in the first few seconds of your introduction. Even established professional magicians experience a form of stage fright when they first start performing at a gig. This stage fright can often present itself as a nagging doubt in your own abilities, act, or the audience's interest in seeing your magic. Many magicians experience a fear of 'being found out' as if everyone will suddenly accuse them of not really being a magician. It's not so much about the magic tricks going wrong, but an irrational feeling that everyone will say. 'hang on, you're not really a magician are you!' This feeling stems from feeling that you are just playing the part of a magician, rather than actually being one.

Magicians need to establish their confidence and proficiency as quickly as possible. A slouched, closed posture signals insecurity. Spending time working on your posture, stance, and body language can radically transform your success as a magician.

Our own confidence greatly affects the overall reactions that our magic performance produce. That's why Amy Cuddy's advice is so useful to performers. If we send the time before a gig, ensuring that our own frame of mind is positive and confident, it will resonate throughout our who performance. Amy demonstrates that being aware of your body language, and accepting the ability to 'fake it until you make it' can lead you to 'fake it until you become it!'.