The one problem with performing magic is the suspicion that several spectators have. Of course many people just go out and perform and suspicion leaves, however there are certain moves, sleights, just random things that the magician may not even think about.
Let's talk about each part and what you can do to eliminate any unnecessary suspicion.
Moves, these are the things that aren't necessarily sleights but the way you handle the cards or coins, or w/e object that doesn't look natural. One thing that deals with sleights and moves is your double lift. Do your single, double, and triple lifts all the same, because specs do notice, they may not say something or even really care, but it does cause a brief moment of suspicion.
Handle everything naturally, showcasing something that has no need to will arise suspicion also. Such as Tommy Wonder's ACR routine with the ring case, he handles it naturally and never asks if anything is funny or gives them the chance the to inspect it because there is no reason. If you don't act like there is something wrong then chances are your specs will feed off of that and won't suspect anything.
Sleights, these what we practice to perfection, making sure everything is picture perfect. This one doesn't need much explanation, you practice what you believe to be useful. However even you can realize when something is suspicious, and if a magician finds it suspicious then so will members of the audience.
Now everything else you do is always under watchful eye. I'm not saying you will be under scrutiny every second, but something suspicious looking to a spectator will cause them to look carefully and second guess many things you do throughout the routine.
The best way to solve this problem is to get a buddy who doesn't do magic and just ask to perform for them. Ask for advice on what looked funny, if it's your sleights then you practice them, however if they say something else then don't simply disregard it because this is more important than your sleights. You build sleights from habit of doing it again and again and of course it becomes just muscle memory and no real thought.
Now the problem with performing very similarly to spectators is that some things you never think about will look funny. This is a bad habit that can be stopped by doing what I mentioned before. Talk about what you are doing, look in the mirror and handle everything like you normally would, go back and do an effect going through the motions. If you find something abnormal then it's time to stop.
Just a quick example, you do a classic palm and throw it in the other hand and while the coin is looked at in your closed hand you put it up to your mouth and simply blow into it, slowly opening your fingers one at a time.
Now this may seem to be fine and dandy but in reality several people look at this funny. What part of this did you find odd? If it was the hand to mouth then you're correct, ding ding ding. You will find if you perform like this some people will look at your mouth, wondering if it's in there and if somebody says something you will of course allow them to look.
The problem with this is they shouldn't have to look, they shouldn't have to inspect something that would go by otherwise if you had done something a bit different.
Any other things people would like to add would be great.
Let's talk about each part and what you can do to eliminate any unnecessary suspicion.
Moves, these are the things that aren't necessarily sleights but the way you handle the cards or coins, or w/e object that doesn't look natural. One thing that deals with sleights and moves is your double lift. Do your single, double, and triple lifts all the same, because specs do notice, they may not say something or even really care, but it does cause a brief moment of suspicion.
Handle everything naturally, showcasing something that has no need to will arise suspicion also. Such as Tommy Wonder's ACR routine with the ring case, he handles it naturally and never asks if anything is funny or gives them the chance the to inspect it because there is no reason. If you don't act like there is something wrong then chances are your specs will feed off of that and won't suspect anything.
Sleights, these what we practice to perfection, making sure everything is picture perfect. This one doesn't need much explanation, you practice what you believe to be useful. However even you can realize when something is suspicious, and if a magician finds it suspicious then so will members of the audience.
Now everything else you do is always under watchful eye. I'm not saying you will be under scrutiny every second, but something suspicious looking to a spectator will cause them to look carefully and second guess many things you do throughout the routine.
The best way to solve this problem is to get a buddy who doesn't do magic and just ask to perform for them. Ask for advice on what looked funny, if it's your sleights then you practice them, however if they say something else then don't simply disregard it because this is more important than your sleights. You build sleights from habit of doing it again and again and of course it becomes just muscle memory and no real thought.
Now the problem with performing very similarly to spectators is that some things you never think about will look funny. This is a bad habit that can be stopped by doing what I mentioned before. Talk about what you are doing, look in the mirror and handle everything like you normally would, go back and do an effect going through the motions. If you find something abnormal then it's time to stop.
Just a quick example, you do a classic palm and throw it in the other hand and while the coin is looked at in your closed hand you put it up to your mouth and simply blow into it, slowly opening your fingers one at a time.
Now this may seem to be fine and dandy but in reality several people look at this funny. What part of this did you find odd? If it was the hand to mouth then you're correct, ding ding ding. You will find if you perform like this some people will look at your mouth, wondering if it's in there and if somebody says something you will of course allow them to look.
The problem with this is they shouldn't have to look, they shouldn't have to inspect something that would go by otherwise if you had done something a bit different.
Any other things people would like to add would be great.
