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.
You want to be working on your core skill set of sleights, but you also need some great magic effects that you can learn quickly so you can start performing right away. Building your abilities as a magician is not about mastering knuckle busting moves. We all know many magicians who can do amazing sleights and flourishes, but when asked to actually show us a trick, they just look a bit blank and lost. You should perform as much as possible right from the start, so you learn stage craft, timing, audience control and showmanship skills. Adding some self working tricks, is a perfect way to balance both your practice and performance training.