LEARN AT AN EXPERT LEVEL
How to Learn Magic the Right Way
Everyone I show tricks to wants to know how to learn magic. I have been a full-time magician for over 20 years. Here you will learn my step by step process of how I learn magic tricks. You will also learn an amazing close-up trick, The Buddha Mystery. Here is how to learn magic-
- Choose a trick you like.
- Learn the trick.
- Write up the trick.
- Practice the trick.
- Perform the trick.
- Evaluate and consider your performance.
- Make the necessary changes.
- Practice, perform, and improve.
PICK A TRICK
Check out Where Do Magicians Learn Their Tricks, for a full, detailed guide on where magicians learn their tricks.
Pick a trick that fits your performance style and environment. Consider where you do your tricks and who you perform them for. Will this trick be good in that setting? Is it a cool trick? Is it within your skill level? Are the angles appropriate? Make sure you answer yes to all these questions. It is important to choose a trick that you will perform, and then invest your time in learning it.
LEARN THE TRICK
Learn the workings of the trick and the secrets behind it. At this point you need to ask yourself, “can I get comfortable with the method?” Basically, you are asking yourself if this is a trick you can really see yourself doing. If you don’t like the method, and it isn’t something you will ever do, scrap the trick right here. Don’t waste any more time on it.
I have done this far too often. It’s a good trick, yet I don’t feel 100% comfortable. I work on it endlessly yet never perform it because there is something about it I just don’t like. When you find a practical trick you can and will do, proceed to the next step.
A true artist has the courage to reject his own work.
WRITE IT UP
Create a document on your computer (or use a notebook). Write-up the trick with step by step instructions, as if you are performing it (see example below). Play with and figure out the best handling for the trick as you write it up.
PRACTICE AND PERFORM
Practice the moves, over and over, until you can perform them smoothly and confidently. Perform the trick for yourself, multiple times, until you know it inside and out. Try out the trick on a friend, or a family member. Real-time is completely different than practice time. Consider your performance. How did it go?
Taking the time to write up a trick makes a tremendous difference. It is being prepared vs. not being prepared. Whenever a trick doesn’t go well I go back to this step and write it up. As I go through it, step by step, I iron out the edges so I am smoother performing it the next time.
Practice the trick as it is written in your final document. Get to the point where you feel comfortable and confident. Perform the trick in a low-risk environment- friends, girl at Starbucks, the guy at the bank, etc. Do it a bunch of times for different people.
EVALUATE AND CONSIDER
Give yourself an honest critique. What were the reactions like? How did you feel performing the trick? Go back to your document and make any necessary changes to the routine.
Practice. Perform again. Evaluate and consider. Repeat.
HOW TO LEARN MAGIC TRICKS
THE BUDDHA MYSTERY
Step 1- Pick A Trick
As an example, I chose the Buddha Mystery. I have never performed it before, it has been sitting in my work-on bin. I got it from Penguin Magic, Buddha Mystery by Udays for $1.54. The trick is well made and looks great. The trick is perfect for real-world performances. It is visual, easy to do, and you can be surrounded. The trick is a fooler.
Las Vegas Magic Legend, Michael Skinner, performed the Buddha Mystery on many occasions, it was one of his favorites. This is the routine Skinner used to do.
Step 2- Learn The Trick
I watched a few YouTube videos of this trick. I saw it performed and also learned the method. It is very simple.
It is not a difficult trick to learn and very easy to do. There are a couple of things to consider so you can perform the trick as smoothly as possible.
Step 3- Write It Up
BUDDHA MYSTERY
EFFECT: You open up several folded papers that have folded papers inside. The smallest one has a folded dollar bill inside. You fold the papers again and wave over them. When you open them there are now 4 quarters inside.
HOW TO DO IT: You have four sizes of paper. The 2nd largest is the gimmick, with another folded paper glued on the back. Flipping this determines which final paper is revealed.
Step 4- Practice the Trick
As I write up the trick I am learning and practicing the moves-
OPEN
Start with the whole folded set on the table, opening side up, so the top unfolds toward you. When opening the papers you will always do the same procedure. Flip the paper down, flip the paper up, open the sides (down-up-sides). Don’t lift up anything, just open the papers. Show the folded dollar bill inside. Open it, display it, fold it back up, and put it back inside.
CLOSE
When closing the papers you will always do the same procedure. Close the sides, flip the top down, flip the bottom up (sides-down-up). When you get to the 3rd piece of paper, you will flip it over.
FLIP OVER
Close the sides, flip the top down, flip the top down again (sides-down-down). Repeat for the last piece of paper.
Wave over the whole package. Flip the whole thing over toward you. Open again showing the 4 quarters.
Step 5- Perform the Trick
I performed the trick a bunch of times and then made a YouTube video. Since this is a pretty easy trick I was able to complete the steps of evaluating and repeating fairly quickly. In the end, I have a new trick I am looking forward to performing.
PRO TIPS: Taking the time to go through each step of a trick helps you to fully learn the trick, inside and out. When performing you don’t want to fumble with the flip over or close the top before the sides folding the paper the wrong way. These small points make all the difference. Writing up your tricks forces you to discover the important details that make a trick deceptive.
HOW TO LEARN MAGIC CARD TRICKS
When learning a card trick the process is the same.
- Choose a trick you like.
- Learn the trick.
- Write up the trick.
- Practice the trick.
- Perform the trick.
- Evaluate and consider your performance.
- Make the necessary changes.
- Practice, perform, and improve.
Check out these amazing card tricks.
Check out this Free Video and learn my favorite 4 Ace Trick. It is easy to do and guaranteed to amaze. I perform it all the time at my paid events.
HOW TO LEARN MAGIC TRICKS AT HOME
Most tricks are learned at home via online resources. Check out Where Do Magicians Learn Their Tricks, for a full, detailed guide on where magicians learn their tricks.
Check out this article for full details- How To Become a Magician.
