Magic Class

[Luis Vega]

Hi guys!!! I wanted to share this with you...

Here in my hometown there´s only like 2-3 magicians aside from me...and they are very tight about what they do...so I am slowly becoming known here...but some weeks ago I got a phone call from somebody who told me that he was looking for me all over Leon..my hometown...and he told me that he wanted to learn magic from me since he already bought some books and some decks and also some gimmicks (Thumbtip and Humming card) but he had failed to accomplish anything since nobody help him learn properly...

also, he told me he had already talked to the other magicians and they acted like selfish bast**** since they told him, that magic is underground,that they don´t want to share the secrets (even the small ones) and I was his only resort...

So I was hesitant to accept, not because I didn´t want to share secrets (in fact I am more than happy to share simple secrets to people that actually want to perform magic) but because I have never been a teacher in anything and I didn´t know where to start...

Of course he was going to pay me (he told me 20 bucks per hour or 200 pesos) so after some days of thinking I agreed...I told him I´ll give him a class and from there we will see...

2 days ago was my third class...I teach him some simple tricks like key card concept, torn and restored napkin, dissapearing salt shaker, a basic double lift, power lunch, basic rubberband tricks and other like that, also some theory about presentation and how to introduce magic into a crowd and how to behave during performances, also the magician oath...

I must say I am happy...not because now I have some extra money...is because now I feel I am doing something different with my magic and sharing my knowloedge...I think I feel good because I am giving the guidance, that nobody gave me and also refused to gave me when I was starting...and thats what makes me feel great..

I feel like I am a decent teacher, maybe not as great as other magicians, but I think you can only learn by experience...you know? this was exactly what make me give a free trick made by myself some days ago (for reference check this http://forums.theory11.com/showthread.php?t=25648)

I guess I´ll continue to give some more classes and he already performed some tricks I taught him and he says he is very happy to finally apply what he had learned...so I think I put him in the right road...

 

[RikAllen]

That's pretty awesome. I will agree many magicians are pompous when it comes to people calling and asking for lessons. It's easy to teach a few things that are powerful when presented properly, but not really deep secrets. Thumb tips are so versatile that you could easily teach him different ways of using it and he could eventually have an entire act surrounding it.

I think it's good that you're teaching him presentational tips as well as approaching and doing magic for people. If he's really excited and dedicated ask him to buy a book that you can help him go through. Royal Road to Card Magic is a great book for beginners, and he can do things on his own, as well as you working through it.

This will help your magic too, since you'll want to review whatever you're going to be going over with him, and it'll help refine your technique.

I've often thought about magic classes, probably later when I've learned everything in more depth, but in reality a teacher only needs to be one lesson ahead of his student to still be effective.

 

[RickEverhart]

I think you are doing a great thing. Many professional and amateur magicians have had mentors and it is great to have the 1 on 1 training. Nothing beats someone being right beside or in front of you correcting and showing your proper technique.

It has been the best investment I have made in magic thus far. I have books, dvds, and tons of effects but the ones I use over and over again are the ones that I have mastered and honed with my mentor / teacher.

I do pay good money for my lessons and I feel that it has been an incredible experience to say the least.

I do agree that some magicians can be very selfish and I understand that they do not want to share ideas and techniques that they have taken years to master. I might feel the same way but on the other hand, you are also inspiring some young potential magicians and are making a difference in their life.

I say continue to do the lessons if he / she is taking it seriously and not just trying to learn as many secrets as possible. Make them show you the progress that is being made and continually review the skills from the previous lesson.

 

[Luis Vega]

I must say that when I went to review past material to teach this friend (actually is kind of weird because I am 23 and he is 41 and he calling me teacher,its weird) I found out that there were a lot of great tricks that I pass on, because I felt that it wasn´t so great..now I see the truth..

also It helped me refine my tecniques...I guess you guys are right!!...oh and he already bought card college in dvd...but he says he didn´t understand so good until I came along...

the next class I will be teaching him some tricks, like a trick with numbers, some basic spongeball magic (he have a set of four, but he wasn´t sure what to do with them) and how to construct a set, like how to build the tricks and when is the right time to go to your pocket to ditch of get a gimmick avoiding any suspicion from the audience, and how each trick should have a reason..any suggestions?

 

[spades894]

Mark Wilson's Complete Course is a wonderful textbook for a magician's student(or any magician for that matter)

 

[RikAllen]

If he already has Card College DVD series then you can easily do all of your card material straight from that. I have the first 3 books and perform quite a few tricks from them. The teaching of the sleights is very in depth, and every nuance is covered.

I still say getting a book (mark wilson's complete course was a good suggestion) and learning straight from it, that way he'll have something to go back to. Also, anything you have to add, from other books or just practical knowledge, write it into your copy and tell him he can write it in his. Taking your own notes (in a notebook or in the book itself) is one of the most useful skills you can have. It helps me track progress and keep up with presentation ideas I have.

Remember when doing spongeballs, if you teach him '2 in the hand, one in the pocket' or a variation, always tell the spectator they're right. If you have 3 in your hand (or their hand) and they say 2 (because that's how many are supposed to be there) instead of saying 'wrong' or 'nope, there are 3', tell them 'Right, now if i just wave my hand over it like this (or whatever else you do that's magical) the third one travels from my pocket to my hand'

This should be applied to all magic, the spectator is never wrong (how would you like it if someone kept telling you that you couldn't pay attention in terms of simple numbers...you'd probably not enjoy it at all-and then start to hate magic in general).

Just a few tips, since you mentioned sponge balls.