How do Magicians Force Playing Cards – Questions and Answers

Paul sent us the following question about how to learn to force playing cards:

'When reading instructions and finding something like 'use a force of your choice' or 'control the card to the bottom of the deck'. In theory, I know what both of those mean, but I'm yet to find a resource – particularly for forcing – for learning techniques that seem genuinely convincing.

Can you suggest something to me from which to learn some convincing forces and also a good tutorial on card controls? Thank you!' – Paul H

Paul, You're not along getting frustrated when you come across the phrase 'use a force of your choice' or 'use your favourite force'. We think that a magic tricks instructions should explain at least a basic force if the magic trick requires it.

The good news is that there are loads of ways to learn how to force playing cards correctly.

Solution 1 : Download this Magic Hands Tuition Download : Essential Forces

Solution 2 : Learn from a DVD. There are many good DVDs that cover the basic forces. A good one that will teach you a large range of controls, as well as the right way to use a hindu and riffle force is Born to Perform.

Solution 3 : Learn from a book : Just like DVD's there are a huge range of magic books that will teach you the basic forces. We tend to go with the most highly regarded source for beginners to learn the core sleights of card magic The Royal Road to Card Magic

You have a huge range of forces to choose from, but we would sugest learning and mastering the riffle force as your first project. Follow that up with the Hindu Force, before moving on to work on mastering a Classic Force over time. Thise three forces should provide you will all the technique you need for almost any force condition.

How to Get Work as a Teen Magician – Problems and Answers

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

Seth is a teenage magician who is not sure how to get work performing magic. He asked the Merchant of Magic community for some advice:

My name is Seth and I am letting you know what I am struggling with right now in my magic career. First of all, I am 14 years old and have been doing magic for a few years now. I have performed and placed in a few talent shows in my area. The problem I am having is getting gigs as a teen magician. If you could help me with this I would really appreciate it.

HI Seth

It's great news that you are looking to advance your magic away from private practice, and start performing for the public, but you need to look at the larger picture. There's no rush. At your stage of training, you are still quite young to get much commercial work. The key goal for you is to focus on developing your 'performing style' and technique as you build up sets of working material. There's plenty of time to turn your passion into a business. I don't know you personal situation, but it's likely that you are being supported financially by your parents. That's a situation you only get for a small part of your life ( unless you have a trust fund), so use this time to relax about getting an income from magic. You have no bills to pay, so magic can just be about learning and discovering who you really are. That will push your magic forward far more than any new magic technique or sleight.

That being said, experience is also very important. How do you get experience performing for the public, if you have difficulty getting paid work? For many young magicians, the answer is focusing on magic clubs. At magic clubs (you can be a member of more than one) you can perform in competitions, network with the magic community and take part in open evenings and dinners organised by the club. It's a great way to develop your knowledge of magic and get experience performing for a live audience. Becoming well known in the magic competition world is also a possible gateway to further oppotunities as you become well known.

Another avenue to explore is the volentary sector. Contact local fund raising groups and introduce yourself. Perform at local charity events and nursing/ community homes to gain experience and get your name out locally.

Remember that there is no rush. You can build in paid performances over time, perhaps to suppliment your later study if you decide to go into further education. I funded my university course and lifestyle while a poor student by starting to take on paid gigs. That may be a more appropriate time in your life to start generating an income from you magic. It's very important that you concentrate on your school studies. Perhaps add courses that relate to magic and the performing arts. Also, build as much knowledge as you can about sales and marketing related subjects. Business studies is a good course to consider. You have plenty of time to work on sleight of hand over the years, but only have a small window of time to get the best grades you can with free education. If you perform magic commercially, you become a business owner as well as a performer. Any skills you can learn that will help you there, will give you a competative edge.

Good subjects that relate to magic:

English
Maths
Design and Realisation : Woodwork, Mental and plastic work
IT
Drama
Science
Business Studies

There are a lot of magicians who neglected their studies to focus on sleight of hand. You have the chance to get great grades, and be taught subjects that will help you in the creative and business side of magic right now, sleight of hand can be added later.

Keep practicing!

– See more at: https://blog.magicshop.co.uk/2013/12/get-work-teen-magician-problems-answers.html#comment-3937

HI Seth

The chicken and the egg.

Your community.

Use your school.

Good subjects that relate to magic:

English
Maths
Design and Realisation : Woodwork, Mental and plastic work
IT
Drama
Science
Business Studies

Keep practicing!

Hope this helps you

Dominic Reyes

Do you have any advice for Seth? How should he start out getting experience as a magician? If you faced the same problems as Seth, how did you overcome them?

Share your ideas in the comments section below:

Magicians Getting the Shakes and Mental Magic – Problems and Answers

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

By Dominic Reyes

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.