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What are the different skill levels?
- Thread starter mac50cal
- Start date
You're either good or bad. Period.
...
Sarcasm
To be honest, like anything, there are way too many factors to determine something like this, especially in magic. It is very far from black and white because of how many styles there are.
One thing to note is whether or not people are able to perform well in front of a crowd. Lots of people know the tricks and can do them "well" technically with all the sleights, but they don't know how to actually perform for spectators.
I consider someone who is sloppy with the sleights, but good with the performing as good. But it all depends on what type of magic it is too. Obviously the best way to be "good" is to simply practice a lot, try your magic on people regularly, and always be analyzing and criticizing your magic in every possible way. So really be good, you have to be in the pursuit of being good. Once you reach the point where you do magic to have fun and you are always working on improving, then you are "good" in my book. I don't think it should be thought of in levels of skills.
I'm sure others will disagree with me, but I really thing it is important to note compare yourself to others in that generic way like most arts/sports do. It all comes down to a matter of opinion.
How many times have any of you done magic for people and left them say stuff like, "Wow, you're better than David Blaine." Everyone has their likes and dislikes, just do your best to entertain as many people as possible (and yourself!).
...
Sarcasm
To be honest, like anything, there are way too many factors to determine something like this, especially in magic. It is very far from black and white because of how many styles there are.
One thing to note is whether or not people are able to perform well in front of a crowd. Lots of people know the tricks and can do them "well" technically with all the sleights, but they don't know how to actually perform for spectators.
I consider someone who is sloppy with the sleights, but good with the performing as good. But it all depends on what type of magic it is too. Obviously the best way to be "good" is to simply practice a lot, try your magic on people regularly, and always be analyzing and criticizing your magic in every possible way. So really be good, you have to be in the pursuit of being good. Once you reach the point where you do magic to have fun and you are always working on improving, then you are "good" in my book. I don't think it should be thought of in levels of skills.
I'm sure others will disagree with me, but I really thing it is important to note compare yourself to others in that generic way like most arts/sports do. It all comes down to a matter of opinion.
How many times have any of you done magic for people and left them say stuff like, "Wow, you're better than David Blaine." Everyone has their likes and dislikes, just do your best to entertain as many people as possible (and yourself!).
This is something that is not easy to define.
This is my opinion on the subject.
All magicians should perform sleights confidently and smoothly.
A good magician has an understanding of people, he/she will know what effect and presentation a particular person will enjoy and has an understanding of the psychology behind the effects they perform.
I see many people on these forums who come up with absurd effects and presentations for the effects. If they attempt to perform these for a live audience they will just be insulting the intelligence of the spectators but they cannot see this.
Also, a good magician puts the audience first. They won't perform overly complicated sleights for the sake of it. I went through this phase myself, I would constantly perform complex effects with unnecessary sleights and gaffs. I then realised that this was pointless as the audience didn't enjoy really enjoy it.
This is my opinion on the subject.
All magicians should perform sleights confidently and smoothly.
A good magician has an understanding of people, he/she will know what effect and presentation a particular person will enjoy and has an understanding of the psychology behind the effects they perform.
I see many people on these forums who come up with absurd effects and presentations for the effects. If they attempt to perform these for a live audience they will just be insulting the intelligence of the spectators but they cannot see this.
Also, a good magician puts the audience first. They won't perform overly complicated sleights for the sake of it. I went through this phase myself, I would constantly perform complex effects with unnecessary sleights and gaffs. I then realised that this was pointless as the audience didn't enjoy really enjoy it.
I would say the levels are based on audience reactions. If they say:
"Are those trick cards?" = You need practice.
"That was good. Well done!" = Better, but you still need practice.
"What the... how did you do that?" = Good magician.
"Are those trick cards?" = You need practice.
"That was good. Well done!" = Better, but you still need practice.
"What the... how did you do that?" = Good magician.
It's all a matter of opinion if you want to define how good someone is. You should think you suck until you get a large variety of moves and can perform them very well. I also don't think you would be considered a good cardist unless you have some original moves.
But if you want to be technical about it, the skill level goes like this: n00b (you stay in this phase for a really long time), fairly good, pretty good, awesome, awesomer, virtuoso/andrei/jerry (and many other names.) It takes a very long time though just to get to the pretty good stage. (years, and lots of practice)
-Sean
But if you want to be technical about it, the skill level goes like this: n00b (you stay in this phase for a really long time), fairly good, pretty good, awesome, awesomer, virtuoso/andrei/jerry (and many other names.) It takes a very long time though just to get to the pretty good stage. (years, and lots of practice)
-Sean
Last edited by a moderator:
If you're more concerned about which word best describes your skill than you are about how much your audience will enjoy what you're working on then you need to get your priorities right. Not necessarily saying that's the case with anyone here, but I do think that.
A lot of people like to say I'm a beginner, intermediate, advanced etc. etc. But it's so subjective that the whole system is useless. Some people will say they are advanced as soon as they've learnt a double lift, others will say they are a beginner even when they are quite accomplished, poetically adding that if they think they have lots left to learn, they will continue to improve. True, but it doesn't give an accurate impression of what you can do. You can be advanced and still admit there is lots left to learn.
Clearly these two 'beginners' would be in completely different leagues and so classing them as the same is just wrong.
Tom
A lot of people like to say I'm a beginner, intermediate, advanced etc. etc. But it's so subjective that the whole system is useless. Some people will say they are advanced as soon as they've learnt a double lift, others will say they are a beginner even when they are quite accomplished, poetically adding that if they think they have lots left to learn, they will continue to improve. True, but it doesn't give an accurate impression of what you can do. You can be advanced and still admit there is lots left to learn.
Clearly these two 'beginners' would be in completely different leagues and so classing them as the same is just wrong.
Tom
professionals are the ones who get paid.
So if you are making money using magic you must be a professional.
So if you are making money using magic you must be a professional.
