Unpopular magic opinions.

[ncaron]

Oh. Another one:

You probably won't perform all of the tricks you have in your lifetime, you don't actually need to purchase any more.

As a beginner hobbyist I think that this is one of the easiest traps to fall into. Seeing some new (for me) shiny / sexy effect / device and say to myself "I need that!". Instead I should focus my energies on learning new skills and perfecting the ones I already have. I am not saying I will not buy any new effects/tricks this year... but I have set myself a serious (but realistic) training program to focus on my skillset instead of my trick library.

 

[trapeze]

My unpopular opinion:

Any trick that involves extracting things from one's mouth* is pretty tasteless and shouldn't be performed.

*Exception: The late Tom Mullica's Nicotine Nincompoop which is so over-the-top ridiculous and gross that good taste is irrelevant.

 

[JarrettC2]

My unpopular opinion:

Any trick that involves extracting things from one's mouth* is pretty tasteless and shouldn't be performed.

*Exception: The late Tom Mullica's Nicotine Nincompoop which is so over-the-top ridiculous and gross that good taste is irrelevant.

That made me think of one, I’m upset/not upset that smoking is slowly phasing out. Finger through a _____ coin versus a cigarette through a quarter seems so silly. Or any other cigarette trick really as lighters, matches, cigs used to be a thing almost anyone would have on them and you could use them in way more places.

I also think coin magic is under appreciated in comparison to lets say cards or mentalism. I recall someone saying it does become a game of “where did it go?” And I do agree depending on the routine. There is a ton you can do with a few coins impromptu or if you carry various gaffed coins. I’m not sure if it is that under appreciated though but in the right hands, it can be rather mesmerizing.

 

[trapeze]

I also think coin magic is under appreciated in comparison to lets say cards or mentalism. I recall someone saying it does become a game of “where did it go?” And I do agree depending on the routine. There is a ton you can do with a few coins impromptu or if you carry various gaffed coins. I’m not sure if it is that under appreciated though but in the right hands, it can be rather mesmerizing.

I agree that coin magic is under appreciated but the impromptu aspect is what makes coin magic so convenient...almost anyone has coins with them. Coins are universal in that way. Unlike cards. Who carries cards with them everywhere they go other than a magic worker? And of course, you can always combine coins and cards. Matrix will always be a favorite of mine for that reason.

 

[Antonio Diavolo]

I will share a few things when it comes to magic that make me cringe sometimes, and as always all opinions are my own:

1. Any time I see someone recommend The Expert At The Card Table to someone just starting out in card magic. It's just not a good resource to start learning card magic, and most of the material in there is not suitable for a beginner at all. Add to the fact that it's confusing to read because of how it was written and that the moves are not practical for a beginner to learn when trying to get a grasp on the basics. It's a good book to have for the history of the art form and to appreciate it for its time, but it's only a book you should try and learn from once you're experienced with a deck of cards.

I've found that most people who recommend Erdnase to a beginner probably haven't actually read the book, or didn't read it as a beginner.

 

[JarrettC2]

I've found that most people who recommend Erdnase to a beginner probably haven't actually read the book, or didn't read it as a beginner.

It’s definitely a transitional utility book from my point of view. I did get it when I was a beginner but I had some bearing of what was what and it was still hard to disgest. However Royal Road is definitely a great primer for both the expert books. Once I worked through that, I could cherry pick and make things interesting.

By no means “get this book first though”.

 

[Lord Magic]

I've wanted to talk about this for a while. I want to discuss some topics that are generally against the common crowd. Everything in black is an explaination
-the chop cup is more exciting than any and all cups and balls routine
I've only seen 1 cups and balls routine that i could actually see my self performing. However Chop cup Routines never ever disappoint.
-Bizzaro is the best comedy magician today, not Mac King (of course Mac King is still in the top 2)
-expert at the card table is heavily overrated
-stealth pen is the greatest penetration effect
-Criss Angle is underrated
He may not be a typical magician (or really good or slight of hand), but he surely isn't "the disgrace to the community", or "any thing he does shouldn't even be considered magic" He is mostly camera tricks, but hey that is taking advantage of your setting. Like using a table to lap something. I think criss is average. Nothing special, or terrible.
-Jay Sankey does make solid products that are worth the risk
he does produce a lot of stinkers but the good ones are worth "sifting through the trash"
-the top change is not as good as the double lift
-Sans minds is better than Tenyo
JK
-Dee Christopher is the best alternative magician


That is it. I know these will most likely get me shot. I know many people will debate me on these, but I really want everyone to list there unpoplular opinions below.

My go to performers of the Cups and Balls would be Penn and Teller no doubt.

Also, let me get even more ''unpopular'' by saying Criss' style is actually pretty great. I mean, it may be a bit gross and unnerving (I guess I've mentioned this before) but some like it more than the 'This is impossible and magic is happening" kind of approach. And honestly, his acting's pretty convincing, that's what a magician is right? An actor playing the part of a magician?
I think Criss is pretty good. Not a legend, but just like Blaine provided a needed change in magic, Criss provided another needed change in STREET magic and made it more serious and dark.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Criss is disliked by laymen because he broke the cardinal rule - He let them figure out how he was cheating. As soon as it was clearly revealed he used at least one camera trick, people assumed it was all camera tricks, and his popularity plummeted. Magicians don't like him because he's super successful, and a jerk.

Coin magic is, in my opinion, one of the more difficult genres to make seem actually magical. Because it is so easy for it to be a game of guess where the coin is. It's also one of the more beautiful genres to watch the method for. Seeing Shoot Ogawa do a coin routine is beautiful from the audience's perspective, and just as beautiful when he turns around to explain it.

EatCT is a great book. To study. Once you've already got a handle on sleight of hand, and you're ready to slog through the unusual writing style. It will teach you a lot about sleight of hand, but you have to study it, you can't just read it once and go on your merry way.

Oh. Here's a bit more:

Most magicians perform too many tricks in their shows. They don't give enough time for the audience to appreciate what they are seeing.

And, putting a mind reading trick in the act doesn't make one a mentalist. Or mind reader. They are still just a magician. (And that's OK)