How to do Magic Tricks

Advice and Support for Magicians

The 6 Secrets to Buy Magic Tricks Without Regret

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Buy Magic tricks Without RegretIt’s so easy to buy magic tricks these days. The best magic shops have a huge range, fast delivery and an easy order process. Does this actually cause a problem for magicians?

It’s very easy to be caught up in the excitement of a brand new magic trick, the awesome trailer and the possibility that; finally, this could just be the missing magic trick you have been hoping to find. The result: An impulse purchase that might not have been the best investment of your hard earned magic budget.

Here are 6 steps you can take that will slow the decision process down, and make sure the next magic trick you order is a winner:

1) Take some time to decide if you really believe that the magic trick is right for you. It’s very easy to be seduced by the reactions you see in the video trailer as the creator of the trick performs it. The packaging can look so appealing, and the props are just crying out to be yours. Don’t choose a new trick based on its packaging, and another magicians audience reactions.. Seriously consider if it’s going to be right for YOU, and will fit your style and if YOUR audience will be entertained by your performance of it.

2) Do you really need to be taught how to do it? Can you work out your own version? Take time to think about the premise of the magic trick. If you really put your mind to it, could you invent your own version, with your own method that would create the same or better ‘effect’ for your spectators? Just because, a  magician is selling their version of a magic trick, doesn’t make it the BEST version. For example: If a clever device promises to allow you to tell how much pocket change, a spectator has in their pocket, could YOU invent your own method to do this that works well for you? If you can’t, and you really want to be able to perform this trick, buying another persons method is good value.

3) Don’t be seduced by price. A deal is great, but in magic, just like in all aspects of life, you pretty much get what you pay for. There are great deals and promotions out there to be had, but generally, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Cheap versions of props tend to be cheap for very good reasons. As you move down the price scale, quality can suffer.

4) Don’t be afraid to ask for a close look. This is harder online as you can’t handle the props. Choose a magic dealer with a good returns policy. For example, Magicshop.co.uk offer a 365 day return policy on magic props, so you can take your time to inspect and assess them.

When visiting a magic shop in person, endure that you ask the shop assistant to let you examine and handle the props. Unless there is a very good reason not to let you, a reputable magic shop should let you check out the workmanship of the props before you purchase them.

5) Telephone the magic shop and ask the dealer lots of questions about the magic trick. No matter how simply the question, the shop will respect you for taking care over the magic you order. Build a relationship with the magic shop, as they should give you their honest and professional opinion on a tricks quality. Their goal is to support you in developing and growing as a magician if a dealer doesn’t seem to  have that intention, consider shopping elsewhere.

6) Get more information than just the advert will tell you. Ask the magic shop about the magic tricks performing conditions, its angles, its reset time, and as many other questions you need answered.

Most magic shops use stock product descriptions, written by the manufacturer. The shops don’t have the man power to  rewrite each description and expand on it. A Good magic shop will be happy to give you much more information if you ask them.

If you follow these 6 steps, when buying magic tricks, you should find that you will spend far less money on magic you will never use or find useful. You will move your buying process from a habitual urge, to a conscious, educated and considered decision.

Did we miss out an important tip? let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page

NEXT: Why Magicians Stop Doing Magic Tricks

Magic Tricks Addiction – Do You Have a Problem?

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magic trick addictionIf you are serious about studying magic, it means putting in the hours needed to practice, consistently, and over a great deal of time. There’s no shortcut, unless you want to be just an average magician. However, even dabbling in magic can have a serious consequence:

 
Magic addiction.

The trouble is we love magic. We especially like being fooled and enchanted by tricks. After all, that’s why we first became interested in it. We decided we wanted to be able to do it ourselves, so we started to learn. That’s when reality kicked in as we discovered that knowing the secret of a magic trick, instantly removed its ability to fool us. What’s left is the hard work of study, repetition and constant adjustment of technique, as we work to master each magic trick. That’s a whole load of boring, compared to the feelings a new magic trick gives us. The result is a pile of half mastered tricks and ‘itchy fingers’ for the next new magic trick that’s about to be released.

Habit Vs. Addiction

A habit is a pattern of behavior that becomes entrenched and is repeated on a regular basis. An addiction works quite differently to a habit.  A behavior appears to satisfy a craving, but in reality, it is the cause of the precise craving it appears to cure. Addicts engage in an endless quest to satisfy their cravings, and in doing so, they create more.

The endless quest of magic.

This conflict between the love of being fooled, and the dull reality of practice is one of the reasons magicians learn so many tricks. Far more than they would ever be able to master. The thrill comes from searching for new magic tricks, wondering how they are done, and anticipating learning the secret.

Once a magic tricks, secret is theirs, they find little satisfaction from it anymore, and a new search for another trick begins. It never ends. If you don’t believe me, and you think you WILL one day know enough magic, spend an afternoon in a magic dealers hall. You will find loads of older magicians, who have been ‘learning’ for decades, yet are still frantically searching for the ‘next trick’ to master.

I’m not saying that this addiction for new magic is a terrible thing. Perpetually learning is extremely positive. I’m not aware of any health risks associated with continual study. It’s a lifelong passion to learn and be creative.

The Cure

Well, here’s the truth: There is no known cure.

Once you have been bitten by the ‘magic bug’, it’s already too late. You love learning, mastering new skills (or at least intending to do so) and enjoy the feeling of wonder and excitement that a new magic secret promises you. More than that, you want to create those feelings in other people too.

Don’t worry about it though. You can’t overdose, it’s slightly cheaper than most harmful chemical addictions, and it will bring you so much joy throughout your whole life. It will keep your outlook on life open and will entertain so many people through the years.

I’m a magic addict, and I’m dang well proud of it, you should be too!

More iCandy – Try it out with a Free Trial

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More IcandyMore iCandy has been released and we are really excited about it. RSVP magic has produced an excellent 2 DVD set that is full of close-up magic that could have been released as individual tricks. What makes it of special interest to us, is the inclusion of some excellent tuition sections on sleights every magician should know, but many don’t.

We had a good feeling about the set while when we heard it was in production earlier this year. The original iCandy won a place in the Best Magic Trick Awards in 2012, so we knew RSVP would need to pull something special out of the bag to follow the original iCandy DVD.

RSVP has kindly allowed us to give you a free trial of more icandy. 

We would love to know what you think in the comments section below: