Buying Magic Sets Versus Tricks

When buying beginning magic tricks, you can purchase tricks in magic sets or buy them individually from magic dealers. While there are lots of tricks that only require common household items, most magicians will want to work with magic props at some point.

So which is the best way to obtain magic props, from a set or by purchasing them separately?

Executive Magic
When it comes to grown-ups, I don't think there's any question, I would always encourage grown-ups to purchase tricks separately because they probably have an idea of the type of magic that they're interested in learning and performing.

There are "executive" magic sets that are designed for adults, and these usually feature good quality props and tricks that are designed to be easy to learn and perform. However, I think that most adults will want to aim towards the type of magic that interests them most. For example, card magic. And most will know of the tricks that they want to learn.

Kids Magic
For kids, magic sets provide a cornucopia of tricks that they can dive right in and learn. And I think that magic sets offer an excellent way to introduce a beginner to magic (for more on how to purchase a set, please check out my article, "Buying a Magic Set," by clicking here).

If I were purchasing magic for a kid, I would lean towards buying individual tricks. By doing this, I could purchase tricks in an area that interests the child, for example, coin tricks. Also, this allows me to ask my magic dealer and do some research to determine the types of effects that would be appropriate for the child's skill level.

Focus
Perhaps the strongest argument that I can come up with for purchasing individual tricks is that by doing so, I think a child is more likely to appreciate the tricks and invest the necessary time to learn and perform them.

When a typical child opens a magic set that promises he or she can perform some 101 tricks, the props go flying out of the box. Even if the child has the patience to follow directions, chances are, he or she is going a mile a minute pulling out tricks, figuring out how they work and then moving onto the next thing.

I think that the parts will likely become lost. And the process encourages the excited child to fly through the tricks as opposed to spend time on a few that they can learn and perform.

A Few Good Tricks
There's no doubt that a good magic set can provide a broad introduction to magic for a youngster. But I think that a lot can be said for carefully selecting a few good tricks.

And when a child takes the time to learn and perform a trick, he or she will have a better opportunity to discover the joys of entertaining with magic.

How to Make Magic Props

There are many different ways how a magician could make something appear. He could either achieve the effect by sleights of hands or by magic trickery. One of the most commonly used props for production magic is a device to pull the object into view in high speed with a thread of some kind of elastic.

Same principle can be applied on a prop with a lever. The object to be produced is first hidden and attached to the end of the lever. The lever is controlled by a spring and a switch to release the tension. Before the performance, the lever is pushed and the spring is compressed. They are held in this position with the object in the hiding place. When the magician touch the switch, the tension is released and the object is brought into the right place by the lever.

There is a classic magic trick called the Card in Balloon. A Balloon is placed at the top of a wooden stand. Behind the stand, there is a wooden arm attached to the card to be produced. The arm is controlled by a spring which is compressed in advance. When the trigger is pulled, the arm turns quickly, breaks the balloon and brings the card in the position of the balloon. It appears like the balloon breaks and the card is found inside the balloon.

The power to drive the lever to swing rapidly is not limited to spring tension. Other source of force like gravity, motor, elastic, counterweight or centrifugal force could be used. Here is an example. Let's study the coin trick by T. Nelson Downs. A magic wand is used in this trick. The wand should be prepared in a special way. One end of the wand is cut in the middle and split apart a little bit. The cut should be about one inch long. The split is separated a bit larger than the diameter of the wand.

The effect is to produce multiple coins with a very clean manner. Some special coins are used in this trick. Some a small ring is fused to the back of each coin perpendicularly. The rings are just large enough to pass through the wand but not the cut end. Therefore, a coin can be put onto the wand and concealed by the hand. When the magician swings the wand quickly, the coin is brought to the end of the wand quickly by centrifugal force. The split stop the coin from flying off.

Again, the same principle could be used in many different effects. With a little twist and adjustments, it could be applied to produce many different magic props. The source of force, the length of the lever, the path of flying and the concealment of action could all be adjusted to match the style of performance.

For more information about Magic, check out:

How to Find the Best Magic Props

We have all seen magicians utilize decks of cards, coins, handkerchiefs, vanishing color books and all sorts of props. Despite this knowledge, it can be a tad more difficult actually finding the best places to get these props. This tutorial will discuss where to get the best magical props.

1

Decide what type of performer you are. Different styles of magic bring with them different types of props.

2

Regardless of the style, you need to learn and understand whatever style you choose. Street magicians usually only use cards and coins. Table magicians tend to perform more elaborate tricks.

3

Make a list of what you need. Decks of cards are essential, no matter what, so be sure to add them to your list.

4

Magic shops, though rare nowadays, are great for beginners and stage magicians.

5

The problem with magic shops is that most are privately owned. This means the owners may tend to overcharge or push more items than you need.

6

Search online! That's what the web is for! Websites like Ellusionist and Penguin Magic allow you to shop at your own will and for cheaper prices. (see links below)

7

Turn everything into a positive. Do not get angry if you end up with 10 extra props from a magic shop-learn how to use them!

How to Hide Magic Props on the Stage

To help the audience suspend their disbelief, magicians should remain in plain sight as much as possible. Instead of ducking into the wings to retrieve props, the seasoned professional will hide them in handy spots. Here's how to hide your props on stage.

1

Paint things in wavy patterns of green and brown. By painting only one side of an elephant with this camouflage, you can make it miraculously appear by having the animal turn around to reveal the unpainted side.

2

Learn to regurgitate things. After small items are mastered, the skill can be expanded to work with larger and larger items. Great stage magicians can hide and retrieve all manner of magic props in this manner, including cougars and small tigers. Rumor has it that one legendary magic duo was formed solely because of one's amazing talent in the area of swallowing.

3

Use distraction at key times. By pointing and shouting "Look! It's Fred Gwynne!" at key moments, entire auditoriums full of people can be distracted long enough to move large items onto the stage. Even when their attention turns back to the stage, they will be so disappointed in not seeing TV's Herman Munster they will not notice the new props. The real skill of the stage magician is not to hide the magic props but to help the audience get over this disappointment.

4

Dance! Dance like the world depends on it! A magician dancing with enough half dressed women will keep an audience from looking for the props that are hidden as they marvel at the artistry of the dance. In the dance world, magician's assistant is much more prestigious than any position as a ballerina

5

Study with ninjas. Those guys totally know all about this stuff. They are completely amazing. They may require participation of an assassination or two in exchange for learning their shadow arts, but it is totally worth it. Rumor has it that Lance Burton is like a 15th degree blackbelt

How to Hide Magic Props in Clothing

Magic props help magicians create illusions. A good magician can hide his props within his clothing so he can use the props without leaving the stage. Read the following steps and learn to hide magic props in your clothing.

1

Hide magic props in your hat. You can use a big hat to hide many props. Every time you complete a trick, bow for the audience as they clap for you. When you put the hat back on, quickly slide out the magic prop you need for the next trick.

2

Store magic props up your sleeve. This way you can wow the audience by making something appear in your hands right after you show them that your hands are empty. Lift your arms, show the audience there's nothing in your hands, then lower your arms as you reach inside your sleeve with your fingers and grasp the magic prop. Pull the prop all the way out before lifting your arms and opening your hands again.

3

Put larger props in your pockets. Most magicians have their suits tailor-made, so have one made with deep, large pockets. You can then bend down to tie your shoe, pulling the magic prop out of your pocket before you stand up.

Silks

One of the most versatile and popular magicians props, lightweight and colourful, available in various sizes.

A Warm Welcome To Dude That's Cool Magic

Our online Magic Shop, caters for both the specialist performer and the amateur magician alike. Now entering our 5th magical year of trading, we're pleased to be able to offer a vast range of Magic Tricks covering all aspects of the magic world including, among others, close up tricks, stage, mentalism and street magic tricks. If you're new to magic, take a look at our beginners magic tricks section where the secrets of many easy tricks can be revealed - for a small price of course!

Instructional Magic DVD's can be a fantastic way to learn tricks. We have a massive selection of titles from some of the finest magic creators. Each DVD is packed with performances, demonstrations as well as full explanations. If you prefer the written word, then jump right over to our magic books section and browse through the many titles available. Oh, and don't forget, if you're looking to keep yourself up to speed with the news and gossip within the world of magic then be sure to grab yourself any one of our magic magazines.
Our new arrivals section is updated several times a week, so don't forget to check it regularly.

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