Bob Cassidy's Fundamentals (note the title) teaches you how to be a mentalist. Corinda's 13 Steps is more like a textbook. It's a LOT of information to have thrown at you when you don't even know how to present like a mentalist. I would actually recommend Fundamentals, then Practical Mental Magic, then Corinda.
Magic Basics
- Thread starter RediSpades
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Bob Cassidy's Fundamentals (note the title) teaches you how to be a mentalist. Corinda's 13 Steps is more like a textbook. It's a LOT of information to have thrown at you when you don't even know how to present like a mentalist. I would actually recommend Fundamentals, then Practical Mental Magic, then Corinda.
If you could master the material in Tarbell's volume 1, you would be ahead of most of the magicians performing today. I would also recommend you get hold of the Darrell Fitske "trilogy" for performing magic. No tricks are learned in these books, but they get you to thinking magically.
Corinda is a seminal text on mentalism and a hugely important text in the library of any mentalist but for several reasons is often not recommended as a starting point.
I have 13 steps, and every time I pick it up, I am lost. I can't find anywhere to get Fundamentals, though I have heard mention of it a lot.
As far as the double lifts that I can do: I have the one that Brad Christian teaches in Ambitious card, the holding a break double life (I think Brad teaches that one too), and on where I just lift two card, one at a time, with my thumb. I am not a master by any means, though when I get a solid internet connection I plan on downloading Jason England's one-on-one. It looks like it could help me a bit.
Random thought
oes Brad Christian's teaching style just make you feel like you are five-years old???
As far as the double lifts that I can do: I have the one that Brad Christian teaches in Ambitious card, the holding a break double life (I think Brad teaches that one too), and on where I just lift two card, one at a time, with my thumb. I am not a master by any means, though when I get a solid internet connection I plan on downloading Jason England's one-on-one. It looks like it could help me a bit.
Random thought
oes Brad Christian's teaching style just make you feel like you are five-years old???
If you want to learn the basics of magic, in all forms, I have to quote Denny Haney in saying "It's in Tarbell!". These are old books almost everyone overlooks these days, but there is a WEALTH of invaluable information in them regarding all sorts of magic. If you're not reading Tarbell, and you're a magician, you're doing yourself a serious injustice. Available from www.dennyhaney.com, and by far the most valuable magic item I own. I doubt I'd ever part with my Tarbell books, ever.
I checked out that link and for some reason it isn't working. Though I did find an eight book series at the Magic Trick Store. Just reading the reviews, it looks like it could be of interest. I will look more into it.
I would recommend "Magic the Complete course" by Joshua Jay...
it´s a great book and has magic of all sorts...
it´s a great book and has magic of all sorts...
I have 13 steps, and every time I pick it up, I am lost. I can't find anywhere to get Fundamentals, though I have heard mention of it a lot.
As far as the double lifts that I can do: I have the one that Brad Christian teaches in Ambitious card, the holding a break double life (I think Brad teaches that one too), and on where I just lift two card, one at a time, with my thumb. I am not a master by any means, though when I get a solid internet connection I plan on downloading Jason England's one-on-one. It looks like it could help me a bit.
Random thought
Hey,
13 Steps does tend to do that to you, especially for beginners. This is the thing - 13 Steps is a great book because it covers so much of mentalism. It has so much material, even just looking at the first chapter, on Swami gimmicks. It explains everything, what each gimmick is, etc., and how to use it. I use the first trick in Corinda as a closer to my performance. But, it's written in a way that's hard to understand. And for beginners who've never used or heard of a swami before, all that information can get a bit overwhelming
Fundamentals on the other hand explains exactly what mentalism is. It teaches you about mentalism itself - as opposed to methods in mentalism. It's funny you say that you can't find it though. I did a Google search, and it's the first result you get. You can find it here: http://www.lybrary.com/fundamentals-p-562.html
Also on that link, look at his list of 39 Steps to Mentalism, if you're interested in pursuing it further.
Also, on that note, Tarbell does a similarly comprehensive job on magic in general.
I think watching David Blaines specialls can be a great lesson.
Most magicians today wants to know every move there is and the harder the better just so they can tell other magicians how much they know. We should really focus on learning the basics and really understand them as well as focusing on what a good effect for laymen is rather then what a impressive routine for magicians is.
This is the best advice you've been given so far. Mark Wilson's book covers basics in cards, coins, bills, rope, cups & balls, sponge balls, billiard balls, silks, stage illusions and mentalism. There is enough there to keep you busy for six months.
The next step for cards, coins and mentalism would be the following books: Hugard & Braue's Royal Road to Card Magic, Bobo's Modern Coin Magic and Annemann's Practical Mental Magic (chosen over Fundamentals because of the lower price).
Save Scarne, Erdnase, Buckley, Tarbell, Corinda, Fulves, Giobbi, Fisher, Harris, Kenner, Banachek and the rest for advanced study.
Also, a note on Card College... the first two volumes were designed to go togeher and teach the basics of card magic. Volumes 3 through 5 are considered more advanced.
Hope i didnt seem misleading or the like with my suggestion on 13 steps. I just meant that i had found when it comes to mentalism the 13 steps was the most frequently mentiponed and comprehensive collection, kinda like the Trilogy is to Cardistry.
My apologies, i should have researched it a bit more before suggesting it, especially considering i am not a mentalist
Steve
My apologies, i should have researched it a bit more before suggesting it, especially considering i am not a mentalist
Steve
Hey everyone, I just wanted to thank all of you for the great advice that you have given me. I now have a lot of stuff to work on. I can already feel my magic growing to the next level... Alright, that isn't true, but with practice right???