Mark asks: What is the best way to start approaching unknown people to perform magic?

This is another common question asked here at the Merchant of Magic, and it is a very tough thing to do if you have no idea where to start. This can be a real problem for someone wanting that bit more than just performing to family and friends.

So, how do you go from performing to people you know to performing to people you don’t know?

Here are my 5 best tips that I would like to share with you that I used when I began performing magic.

1) A great way to practice upon people you don’t know is to perform magic to friends and family when you are out for a meal. If you time it right you can perform some magic to the waitress or waiter when they come to serve you. Simply be talking about magic or playing with cards when they come over. They will most definitely tell their colleagues and then come back and ask to see some more. Tell them you will show them some magic tricks before you leave. You can then go and perform for them for a few minutes when you are finished with your meal. It is also worth noting that if you see a table being very interested and watching you then you can give them a nod and ask if they would like to see a quick trick, don't go overboard, a simple quick trick would be enough.

2) Ask any family and friends if they are hosting any dinner parties that you would be able to come and perform some magic at. My parents would entertain friends about once a month, and I would always jump at the chance to perform something for them.

3) Utilise your parents or friends as much as possible. For example, my Father was also a member of a shooting club and I offered to come along to their Christmas party to entertain everyone, I didn’t charge, but I got free food and drink and a great experience.

4) Another area to look at is for any local events like craft fairs or charity events being held in your local area. Simply check out whats on in your local town online. You can then contact the person in charge of the event and ask if it is ok to come and perform for the people attending.

5) Finally if you are of the correct age (18 and upwards) you can go out to pubs and bars and simply ask people who are in a group of friends if they would like to see some magic. If you wish to become a working magician you will have to do this at every event multiple times, so it is better to get used to introducing yourself! You will find it uncomfortable at first but once you get a strong reaction you will love the feeling and most likely attract attention from others whom you can give a nod to and go and show them something next!

So there they are my five best tips for getting out there and performing to people you don’t know. The experience is very different to performing to people that you know, and I am sure you will receive some great reactions.

How to be the Best Magician at School

by Dominic Reyes 1 Comment

By Ben Williams

Matthew asks: How do I prove I am the best magician in school?

We recently had this question come in from one of our customers and it raised a great point for us. Due to the increase in the popularity of magic, students are likely to encounter other people at school that also study the art of magic. What should you do if this situation arises?

I think it is very important to consider why you are asking this question. There really is no way to prove you are the best. However:

Your thoughts shouldn't be about how you can be the best magician,

it should be on how to give the best possible experience to someone else.

If you concentrate on making sure you are personable, friendly, non egotistical, and you also practice hard, everything will fall into place. It will become known that you are skilled in all aspects of performing, and presenting magic. You will be able to give your spectators the best experience, and as a result, you won't have to feel like you have something to prove.

School can be competitive. Try not to get sucked into the 'I'm better than you game'. Rise above comments like this. Concentrate on what you are doing, and what you love. It doesn't matter what they think, just keep giving, and respect will fall your way.

Everyone is different.

It is up to the audience to decide whom they like, and people's opinions are different. Some people like chalk, and some people like cheese, it is the way of the world. You cannot please everyone, so even if someone prefers another magician at school over you it doesn't matter. There are billions of people in the world, so there are many more you can please!

What to say.

I understand that this can be a tough situation, but the best thing you can do for you and your magic, is to not get bogged down with it. If someone says they are better than you, simply say, 'ok, that's good!' if it doesn't rattle you, or bother you, then there is no ammo for them anymore . They will realise they are not in a race or competition with you.

If someone says 'so and so is better than you' just say, 'that's cool, they practice lots, I'll keep going though!' Statements like that pop their bubble and there is nowhere for them to go. People only make statements like that to get a reaction, and if it doesn't bother you then they realise they cannot affect you. They may even respect you more for remaining kind about the other person.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to stay true to yourself. Keep practicing your magic. Focus on what you love (even if it isn't magic), and don't worry about other people and what they are doing. Build a magic act with magic tricks that work well together, and focus on your own development. You will soon see that it really doesn't matter who is the best magician.

How to Stop Feeling Guilt When Doing Magic Tricks and Sleight of Hand

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

Ben Williams suggests ways to reduce feelings of guilt when performing close-up magic tricks and sleight of hand.

Guilt is something every person has to deal with at some point when studying sleight of hand and magic tricks. Simply because you have to lie to your spectators faces about what you are doing sometimes. Simple statements like, ‘we’ll lose your card in the deck’ or, ‘if I place the coin in my hand’ sound easy to say. However, these statements can be tougher to say convincingly whilst performing your sleight of hand.

Telegraphing.

Another common issue with guilt can be the guilt of performing sleight of hand in general. Some moves (especially ones that you worry about performing) may become apparent to a spectator simply because you are telegraphing the fact that you are performing a sleight. You must learn to feel at ease with all the sleights you perform. If you feel guilty when performing a move like a shuttle pass or false transfer it will only give the spectators more chance to catch you out. The more you worry about the move, the more you transmit through non verbal communication that you are doing something fishy.

When you have to perform a move you are worried about, the body tenses up and you may stutter or hesitate. You may even become slightly more withdrawn, and look at the cards, or your hands instead of the spectator. All these subconscious clues tell the spectator that something dodgy is about to happen. Relax and believe you are doing what they think you are doing, and it will all become easier and more enjoyable!

The solution to magicians guilt.

If you have guilt about doing something secretly in your pocket, like load a box, or switch an item, and you really don’t want to draw attention to it, then there really is only one answer for this: practice! Practice the load or switch over and over again, and also make sure you practice in the clothing you will be performing in. If you practice in baggy clothing, and are wearing tighter clothing when you perform it can really make a difference with the handling. Use pocket managment. Try to look at where things are in your pockets, or if there is another pocket you have that it would work equally well with but be less fiddly. If you are fidgeting and people pay attention to it, simply joke and say, 'sorry I am not being rude, I just have so many things in my pockets, like fairy dust, and whatchamacallits. I cannot find my little box!' A simple comment like that, and they will be thinking you have all manner of things in your pockets, so the fidgeting is now justified. People don't really know what a magician has in their pockets! You can help to draw attention away from your pockets by asking the spectators to do something at the same time. Ask the spectator a question, or hand them something like the deck of playing cards to shuffle. Any action will buy you a few more critical seconds.

Once you are practiced, and up to speed with all of your sleight of hand and routines then all you need to do is perform, the guilt will disappear. You can always justify it by telling yourself that you cannot give someone the wonderful experience of magic without a little white lie here and there!