Magic Question - How Do You Become a Magician?

[@magicorthodoxy]

Join the MAGICIAN'S FORUM www.themagiciansforum.com/

[@_JadePhoenix]

Thank you so much for the kind words about us over at TMF David!

[@loloribo3287]

It’s funny, 30 years ago or today, it’s always a problem to know how to start in Magic. Before the net, the problem was to find the resources, today is knowing which one to use in this avalanche of resources. The biggest help is you, David, bringing it to us, and I don’t want to flatter you, I swear. Magic Orthodoxy is so much more than a unboxing's channel. This kind of video brings a lot and allows you to think about your own practice. Whether you’re a beginner or a senior, there’s a lot to find. The way I started and persevered was passion. Long life to Magic Orthodoxy 🇫🇷.

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for visiting !!!

[@htmagic]

David, great advice! I shared it with our International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M. Ring 58). David, when I joined a magic Ring, I learned quite a bit as sometimes we have "Teach a Trick". Also, it is a great place to find mentors. It also let's you perform works in progress where you can get ideas from others to improve your act. Joining a magic ring or club can help every member improve.

[@magicorthodoxy]

agreed

[@_JadePhoenix]

Spot on David! I had loved magic all my life but I didn't get started until I found out a friend of mine did magic. I bugged him until he started teaching me, and I've loved it ever since

[@magicorthodoxy]

Well said!

[@robh913]

Simple answer… practice, practice, practice. You’re welcome.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Boom!

[@sirion899]

Haha right ^⁠_⁠^

[@fletch1313]

Another great video David and I couldn’t agree more with your advice! Where was this video when I started!!!!!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

lol- agree !!

[@JedBrad55]

Thanks for this, I needed some direction and this gives me a roadmap.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad I could help!

[@petkopironkov634]

Thanks David. This is really helpful.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad to hear it!

[@guest3997]

David, excellent video, excellent advice, guidance and direction! Please remember a local IBM Ring or SAM Assembly. Great places for mentorship and learning! Thanks for all you do! David

[@magicorthodoxy]

Good call!

[@daverothberg2624]

Magic can be defined a lot of different ways … I think a person needs to decide on what type of magic do they want to focus on (kids, cards, stage or parlor illusions, balloon, coins, etc) then focus of that subject … lots of resources on line … and practice to be great, as yourself, sharing your specific passion … you may find your initial passion changes and leads you down a different path … thanks David 👍👍

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks DAVE !!!

[@thepassionofthecy5693]

Another great advice. Keep spreading the golden knowledge good sir 👌

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks, will do!

[@thecommonmagician]

Step 1. become a fan of magic. For me, I got into magic by following the TV specials at the time (Copperfield). For folks today... It's KZbin. Step 2. Someone showed me a basic coin sleight. For folks today... KZbin. Step 3. Perform for people and test out your concepts and approach... if you don't have a regular attentive audience... start a KZbin channel and share. The Internet has changed everything and much of it is for the better with respect to accessibility. I share emails regularly with some outstanding magicians and all of this was made available through wandering around the Internet on KZbin, Instagram, and forums (but mostly KZbin and Instagram networking). Last Step. Perform for family, friends and acquaintances, stuff that is comfortable and fun for YOU first and foremost. Books... Annemann pamphlets, manuscripts, especially 202 methods of forcing (mostly all public domain). So much solid material is in the public domain. The stock retention sections in Expert at the Card Table... the easy and accessible part of the book that pays off the most. Then, you can start spending money on stuff like Card College Light, etc.

[@magicorthodoxy]

wonderful !!!

[@JCMagic]

Practice Perform Promote (repeat). The power Ps.

[@magicorthodoxy]

PERFECT !!!

[@willswalkingwest7267]

"Some people don't learn from books..." It's a different World today. How I got started. I was in my late 30's. My wife and I went to Mercado in Orlando and there was a magic booth. The guy asked me if I had a dollar. I gave him a dollar, he made it float in the air. I asked him how he did it of course, like a naive idiot. He said, "It costs $60. We walked away. Two years later on my birthday my wife bought be a kit from the same dealer. In it was a video of around 20 cool tricks. A TT, some IT, a few other odds and ends. So I started messing with this stuff and got good at it. The guy told my wife to warn me, once I knew the secrets, the real magic would be gone. He was right. So I just started going out and doing things in front of people. This was before the internet had saturated people with magic. So one night my wife and I were talking, I was wondering what magicians made to do shows. I got on the phone, (a real phone that was plugged into the wall), I called magicians to ask what they charged. I was shocked. But what really got me was they said they'd do 20 minutes or so, 3-4 tricks and then blow up balloons for the kids. I told my wife that if I paid that kind of money I'd want to see more than 3-4 tricks. So I put together 45 minutes of solid magic. I went to the magic stores and watched guys work. I went to magic shows to see live magic. I hung out at magic stores and met other magicians. I immersed myself in the culture. And I read books. I put together 45 minutes of material, went to a Dunkin Donuts in Clermont Florida and put up ONE flier that I made off my computer. A real amateur job of it. By the time I got home I had a message and arranged a gig. And my first gig went great. And then I just went from there. My advice is to practice one trick at a time and become an expert at it. Practice, practice and more practice. The mirror is your friend. Live your life like you are a magician. Be the magician. And even though it ain't popular, READ BOOKS.

[@magicorthodoxy]

that's how I learned - but again I am in my 50s

[@jordonschneider8777]

I really loved this video and how you talked about making a commitment to get out in front of strangers and perform not just family and friends. It was helpful to hear that! My question for you is, If you had moved to a new state, how would you go about finding magicians in your area? Is there a group or a website you would use to help find other magicians? Thanks for reading!

[@magicorthodoxy]

i'd search for groups on Facebook

[@jordonschneider8777]

@@magicorthodoxy ty

[@i-sarank8505]

Amazing! I will also wait for your How To Read Mind 2 Kit review😂❤

[@magicorthodoxy]

I wont review it until AFTER the kickstarter is over

[@izzathafiz]

Wonderful video guide to get started. Well, well. that trademark Lorayne cafe post. Feels nostalgic. Thank god I didn't have to enroll at Hogwarts to be a magician. I did however, got my (very late) start several years ago via youtube (52 Kards and early Chris Ramsey vids) and using dollar store cards. Then gradually move on to proper Bicyles cards, and books like Royal Road and Mark Wilson's great book. I didn't have much options here in Malaysia in terms of live magic class and teachers. So it's mainly videos and books for me.

[@magicorthodoxy]

you dont want to go to HOGWARTS? I do !!!

[@craigchadburn4298]

Rock solid advice from David - Personally Lloyd Barnes sparked my magic adventure and youtube was consumed for a couple of months but then David Blaine's course gave me some focus/direction and made me feel like I was actually making progress and becoming an actual magician (not there yet but definitely walking the path !) I'm not qualified to give advice on the matter really but I will say Card College series of books have been an absolute solid purchase (thanks to David actually !)

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for writing

[@redace4821]

Easy, practice. It's ok if you failed, it's ok if it doesn't look good yet, just do it anyway. You will improve if you practice slowly, but you won't improve if you don't practice at all.

[@magicorthodoxy]

agreed

[@magicdmitry]

Bought Royal Road to Card Magic more than 10 years ago, and I think I'm still on Chapter 1. Not a card guy... more of a props, mentalism and sleight of hand guy... But I do remember starting from a book that had a bit of everything back in high school.

[@magicorthodoxy]

yup !!!

[@magicjoeblack5761]

Nail hit squarely on head. Wise words. Listen, profit, learn ...... and hit that Subscribe button to share the love.

[@magicorthodoxy]

I appreciate that!

[@tomholbrook2948]

Having a true interest and desire is one aspect Study, practice, study, practice,... Hang with magicians,... Study stage craft,... Study human nature,... Be kind, be friendly, enjoy

[@magicorthodoxy]

YES !!!

[@rhcardeffects]

David do you lean more towards gimmick tricks or sleight of hand tricks?

[@magicorthodoxy]

Me? More card gimmicks and mentalism

[@andyw10]

I joined the magicians forum a while ago and for some reason I can’t sell my items on there and I can’t get any reply from them. Any advice

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh no - how weird

[@fatstax8478]

Thank you for the video love the advise because I'm thinking about becoming one myself hope I'm not to old 52 :)*

[@magicorthodoxy]

You can do it!

[@calvo_en_moto]

you are my Hero =)

[@magicorthodoxy]

i'm just trying to help

[@tomholbrook2948]

Start small but a fun magic kit

[@magicorthodoxy]

YES !!!

[@godzil42]

Well let's ask one of my favourite voice about magic, would you have any recommendation for dvd / video, not a book because I find them confusing on that aspect, about card manipulation, and I'm not talking about super fancy flourish, but some more basic/advanced handling with some of the move use by magician. Learning at my own pace, I am not too bad with cards in hands, but there are a couple of move I'm pretty sure I don't do them properly, and was thinking, there must be something that list/teach these things and what to pay attention to.

[@magicorthodoxy]

how does this look madisoncards.myshopify.com/products/the-magic-induction-masterclass

[@magicorthodoxy]

or get all his classes for still less than $100 madisoncards.myshopify.com/products/the-madison-masterclass-collection-1

[@godzil42]

@@magicorthodoxy I will have a look, thanks a lot!

[@seanfaherty]

I always thought you were a magician once you made somebody smile. For me it was a cut off finger gag in a matchbox on my dad , then the French drop was way better than a false take/put. The snap change ? I thought I was a wizard

[@magicorthodoxy]

I learned the cut off finger gag from a Haunted Mansion book from Disneyland

[@westonding8953]

Just curious, what other benefits do you think come with learning magic? I think it teaches you many skills, namely critical thinking, because you have to consider every step of a trick or prop and make sure you don't make missteps, and creativity because you have to come up with the best artistic presentation that suits you. You also have to know how to interact with people, how to present yourself, and how to utilize psychology. Furthermore, you gain science skills because you have to understand the science of the props and effects you use (if you try to).

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks Weston !!

[@westonding8953]

@@magicorthodoxy Another thing about magic is learning how to “mess up” gracefully. Not everything will work perfectly. Not every day or performance will be great. If something goes wrong, keep it graceful and maintain your composure. There probably is a skill set to it. I don’t really see this being taught in other “arts” namely other performing arts.

[@johnrx1]

Hey David, Do you think I’m becoming a magician? When I show someone a photo on my phone, I say, “I could have shown you THIS picture before or THIS picture after.”

[@magicorthodoxy]

lol

[@randycape8706]

Go with.... your "right on".

[@andreamancausoft595]

if before I had 1000 different opinions, now after this video I have 1001 :D

[@magicorthodoxy]

truth

[@allthatsmagic06]

Jaw Droppers Dvds by Larry Anderson an As seen on Tv product packed with dozens of impromptu spur of the moment magic that can be done on the fly And The Great Magicians Magic Set by Royal Magic Hampton Ridge Magic My start came from Adams Magic and then the magic kits of Marshall Brodin TV, magic and money magic show Marshall was my inspiration when it came to magic back in the early to mid 70s before I knew of Doug Henning and David Copperfield

[@magicorthodoxy]

great comment

[@Maleekberry-bp9kj]

How can I become magical

[@magicorthodoxy]

this is the right video to watch 😊

[@jacksonsmagic]

Save your money! As a beginner almost everything is FREE and available on KZbin. So many ideas and tutorials to get you started without paying for loads of overpriced magic tricks.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great tip!

[@shannonsmith1520]

I was born this way. Lol🐇

[@magicorthodoxy]

lol

[@twatmunro]

Henry Hay. (Which I didn't read until I was over 60.) The Penn and Teller Masterclass is terrible. It takes two and a half hours and just teaches the French Drop. Which my dad taught me in 30 seconds.

[@magicorthodoxy]

it's gotta be more than THAT !!! lol

[@davidanderson9229]

Ellusionist just launched their How To Read Minds 2 KS yesterday. Another potentially brilliant kit. I think a good way to get started is with self-working card tricks & the amount of card slights tutorials on the you tubes is nuts

[@magicorthodoxy]

yeap

[@RobertBallMagician]

David you are all knowing some incredible advice on becoming a magician. Yeah just wish they had in my day.😊🤜🤛👏👏👍👍💪🪄💪🎩🙏

[@magicorthodoxy]

You and me both!