Hey guys, so I just typed a whole buncha mess about the Top Change and then accidently went back a page...losing it all...soooooo heere it goes again...
So I use the top change 10+ times during my shows. I use it for several different effects including card under glass, an ACR, 2 card monte and a host of others. I will say this: If you know how to manage your audience, then you can execute a Top Change with no problem. Remember, you want to execute the move in the off-beat; when the spectator is not looking at your hands. Just like executing a pass. With good audience management, you can execute any move right under their noses. Trust me.
In his FANTASTIC book which I HIGHLY suggest you guys get if you already do NOT have: Eugene Burger's Mastering the Art of Magic has a GREAT lesson on the Top Change. I will quote just a few sentences from his lesson:
"What makes it all [Top Change] deceptive, is not primarily what your hands and fingers are doing, but the situation you are creating through your words, your eyes, your gestures, and your intereactions with your audience. Once this is realized, the Top Change rather does itself--and you just help it along."
Take note that the Top Change is not just done with the hands, but with your whole body. by gesturing with your hands, and turning to gesture with your body as well as your eyes, you can give yourself a reason for the hands to come together, and it is at this moment when the Top Change can be executed.
Again from Eugene's book: Mastering the Art of Magic he states, "People simply will not see the exchange of cards IF their attention is on the spectators who are in the spotlight. Yet the exchange is done boldy--right under their noses."
Think about the Top Change as you would the Pass. We don't want to have Jeffrey Bimzowablle looking at our hands as we execute the move, right? Well, unless we are using the Pass as a visual color change. But in most cases, we execute the pass when we have the audiences attention elsewhere other than our hands.
As for noise? Well, say your favorite one liner to create a bit of a laugh, and voila! The sound of the Top Change will never be heard!
I hope this helps out guys and gals...
Mike