Magic Question - How Do You Build a Magic Routine?

[@JohnSimpson-r5d]

This is one of the best posts of any magician. Bravo, David. Take your bow.

[@magicorthodoxy]

😀👍

[@72A1D372]

Awesome information! Thanks Uncle David!!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

:D

[@donpepe9947]

David this session best one yet because it's not only gives us l guidance but also helps us think ourselves through. Thank you

[@themagicofseth]

Appreciate that you uploaded this right when I'm putting sets together for corporate events I've got coming up. Always find your perspective super helpful! Thanks for all you do

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad to help!

[@glennrudolph]

Muggle here, about 1 month in. Loving the content.

[@magicorthodoxy]

awesome !!!

[@SamuelTyree1]

This is one of the best advice videos I have seen in a long time. Practical and immediately useful. Kudos.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mtripp005]

Over my 53 year career as a professional magician, no one said it better than Harlan Tarbell. “Open, close, and try to be interesting in the middle.

[@magicorthodoxy]

so good

[@droidx1191]

Regarding openers: One of my favorites is "Appearing Glass" by Steve Thompson. It's easy to simply say I'm thirsty, and when someone offers to get me a cup of water, I tell them, "That's okay, I have this empty paper bag, and I'm a magician..." When I pull a glass of water out of the bag, and DRINK some of the water, then the hook is set...

[@magicorthodoxy]

nice !!

[@donpepe9947]

I have been trying to build routine and can't focus. Till now. You've helped me a lot.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Keep it up

[@hopscs2914]

this is exactly the video i needeed right now. cheers david x

[@magicorthodoxy]

oh good

[@liminalityinstitute720]

Eugene Burger has great advice in his work on scripting & giving magic tricks context beyond just doing tricks> I love this channel keep up the great work!!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks !!!

[@ourladyoflourdeschurchmp8572]

You’re right - a magic performance should be a story, a journey you take with the spectator. We, as magicians, should move away from the idea of doing “tricks” to “fool” the audience. This is the concept that naturally offends your viewers. But if you are taking a journey together, then it’s an experience, an entertainment. This is why the “magician in trouble” model for children’s shows works so well. You do not appear to be trying to “fool” or embarrass your spectator; you yourself are sinking in an unexpected way and it puts the audience on your side! As with all entertainment, and sales, positions, the first thing you need to sell is YOURSELF! Thanks again for a great video!

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for watching

[@droidx1191]

In my small town, I get repeat parlor-sized shows, and I would like to present fresh things to repeat audiences. I keep a spreadsheet that has my set-lists from every such show. It makes it harder to craft the story, but has the benefit of fewer repeat tricks. Thank you for the advice about story; I will try to incorporate your wise thoughts on this.

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks !!

[@liaonardo_me]

I totally agree with David! Thanks for sharing 🎉

[@magicorthodoxy]

You are so welcome!

[@kimleaming7596]

Thank you so much for making these MAGIC QUESTION videos! These videos are magical gold! You give advice that is uniquely yours and very practical. We really appreciate it!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad you like them! HEY YOU WON A JEKI YOO deck and never got back to me !!!

[@JohnSimpson-r5d]

Best opportunity to use/practice a routine: A Cruise! I have walked up to strangers at a table (that are mostly just sitting there) and said, “Hi, my name is John. Normally, on a Cruise you have to go TO the entertainment. Here, the entertainment comes to you”. Then I go into my routine. Only about four tricks (leave the wanting for more!). Bonus: I have my older grandson, Scott, with me, we practice, and I have him do a few tricks to build his confidence. End: “Finally, being with you, I wonder if the magic has rubbed off on you? Let’s see if it did.” Then I finish with the Out of This World card trick. They are blown away, THEY did it, and they can examine everything. Nothing can follow that! Take a bow and leave.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@jamesedwards5702]

This year, I am seriously looking into resteraunt walk around magic. I've been doing a ton of research and crafting my skills. I must say, your videos on the subject have given me some great ideas and help. Not to mention encouragement. Thank you so very much for taking the time to cover aspects of the subject. You rock my brother!!

[@magicorthodoxy]

You can do it!

[@Mtripp005]

Although the modern thought is that the old guys are clueless, here’s my experience. First, look don’t touch. Everything in your hands. They just watch. Avoids all sorts of problems. I have three sets of three tricks each. All highly visual. I pay attention as I’m doing a set. If they aren’t into it, do one and move on. My initial three tricks are, grandpas fruit knives, color changing knives. Then a card location with a balloon dog (Hindu force, dog VERY important) and end with hopping half. CSB would work as well. You can figure out the rest, BUT, why the dog, even if there’s no kids in the entire restaurant? Because young grasshopper, the manager can see at a glance how many tables you’ve performed at. Good luck!

[@thegobleers]

Thank you so much this really helped

[@magicorthodoxy]

You're welcome!

[@edward2785]

Good topic David. When I first got started, I was using the Michael Ammar "Easy to Master Card Miracles" (on VHS which shows my age a bit!) He showed card effects, usually in sets of two or three and they built on each other. I have always followed that formula in most of my magic. Another great book source is the "Fitzkee Trilogy" set. Thanks for your reviews, keep up the good work.

[@magicorthodoxy]

Good stuff!

[@Lance514]

I have that Ammar vhs set as well. I might need to rewatch it again to see how he builds on each trick. Never really took notice of it when I was younger

[@daverothberg2624]

“can you show me a trick?” always leads to a second trick. “storytelling” is presentation … it can be more important than the trick …. Great advice David 👍👍 Thanks for sharing

[@magicorthodoxy]

Couldn't agree more!

[@thecommonmagician]

Great topic and thoughts, as always. "Script EVERYTHING" and practice your script. This is so vital and it should be obvious, but many try to just talk their way around the execution of the method. I would add that your script (words and motions) should feel like it's happening for the first time and it's personal. I watch a lot of high caliber performers on TV and presenters on shows like "Shark Tank"... even folks that I encounter in public life that should be well versed in communication (public figures, politicians, teachers, etc.). So many of them are well polished on their "Script", but I don't believe a single word or movement that they are throwing out. I recommend telling a true story on video of something that you have experienced. Do it with enthusiasm, like a witness to a major event. Analyze your speech, inflections, emotions and mannerisms. Then practice making every "Script" sound and look like that. Make colloquial mannerisms concrete parts of the script, and practice them.

[@magicorthodoxy]

great addition

[@gutbustermike6131]

A couple great resources….”Building an Act” by Tommy Wonder and “To Lure With Spectacle” by Jimmy Talksalot. Both available in PDF. Thanks David!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks for the info!

[@markbruno9211]

I did a review for the devil's bandana v 2.0 by Lee Alex. Check it out sometime!

[@Lance514]

A great performer shows a little a bit of everything in his routine. Storytelling, dexterity, humor, mystique, tease and even a bit of danger for those with a bit more risk. This can all be accomplished in a 10 minute routine or an hour. The key is balance -Too much is overkill and too little is forgettable. And as always leave them wanting more. Great topic David

[@magicorthodoxy]

glad you liked it

[@jean-lucgagnier3602]

Thanks for thoses advices ! Pretty logic.I always tought that it was ok to go like this : lowest to highest tricks..!But its logical..Diversity is always the key yeah of course ! Lol : take with you whats fitting on you naturally ! Always go for thoses things and build on thoses things !

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cecillewis968]

THANK YOU!

[@magicorthodoxy]

THANK YOU!

[@jacksonsmagic]

Great advice David....For me before I go out the door, I check my tricks are Set-up properly, nothing worse than failure during your performance.

[@magicorthodoxy]

good advice

[@ourladyoflourdeschurchmp8572]

I think this was not so much Reviewer David and more Teacher David today. Both are very welcome!

[@magicorthodoxy]

yipee !!!

[@JCMagic]

Beautiful!! Awesome video!! I would also encourage individuals to find opportunities in their day to day where they can present information. If you work in an office and there is a meeting coming up, volunteer to go over the spreadsheet. Put together a PowerPoint. You might not be focusing on magic (you may even be able to work in some magic) but you will become familiar with the performance aspect. If a special event is coming up prepare a speech. Visit a local improv or acting group and step outside your comfort zone. Take public speaking courses. Some colleges and after school programs allow you to preview classes for free if you aren't looking to get credits or have reduced prices for auditing. Just a few ways to start honing those katanas before you need to use them for real.

[@magicorthodoxy]

great comment !!!

[@cameronbeck]

Great video. Thank you for sharing this tips.

[@magicorthodoxy]

You are so welcome!

[@Ruberdec]

Very nice recommendations! Presentation and routine preparation are, sometimes, more important than the methods itself!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Yes! Thank you!

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

This was great. I have nothing to add but I'd love to see a list of best openers, either cards, mentalism, or other. Thanks David happy new year!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Great suggestion!

[@dustywaynemusic6297]

@@magicorthodoxy thanks. Working on several routines right now and openers are where I'm really struggling. Especially in mentalism

[@magicorthodoxy]

ESP cards are great

[@evanbrown7325]

I'm pretty sure you're a psychic, because I just got on KZbin specifically to look at tips for building a routine. Thanks David!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Happy to help!

[@ghostmagicshow4026]

David dellman has a youtube and has some talks on routine building...

[@zerohourtv256]

Great video!

[@magicorthodoxy]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RobertBallMagician]

Wonderful brilliant advice David 👍👍👍👍

[@magicorthodoxy]

Thanks 👍

[@celticcraps]

Hey David. Great video. I've been lurking a bit and checking out your vids and have to share I find your vids very well done and seriously engaging. Given what I've seen thus far I would say you're a steward of magic itself as well as a great coach for magicians at various stages of proficiency. One of my biggest questions that I have amd suspect many others do as well in line with this vid is how you transition from one trick to another..I see it would vary based on the tricks but you could probably do a series of vids on examples based on the types of tricks. How you go clean, dump your utility device, TT, or whatever to the next without drawing attention to what your doing with your hands. Jim

[@magicorthodoxy]

yea, it just takes practice, appropriate clothing, eye contact and finding ways to ditch things when nobody's looking

[@thecreepypastapoet3673]

Perfect. I don't think it could be explained any better. When is your book coming out? Thanks David, for all you do.

[@magicorthodoxy]

i'm writing a space opera about a young farm boy who joins a group of rag tag rebels

[@thecreepypastapoet3673]

@@magicorthodoxy Led by a magician of course

[@tylerleemuir4164]

My 3 I’ve been doing lately Opener: Gregory Wilson’s revolution Middle: Signed Ambitious Card (Alex Pandrea Method) End: Christian Grace Level one cell phone trick with the previously signed card They flow into each other fairly nicely 😅😂👍🏾👍🏾

[@magicorthodoxy]

wonderful !!!

[@SevenTheJester]

I'm late to the party again on a year old video, but to kinda state the obvious... Look at *this video.* He's not winging it. He's not making it up as he goes along. He didn't pull these ideas out of nowhere on the fly, and those book recommendations weren't ad-libbed. He very clearly started at the beginning, knowing exactly where he was headed, and he put all of the information he wanted you to have in the middle, being as concise and to the point as possible. Model your routine around this video - not just the advice he's giving you (which is absolutely golden), but the actual format of the video itself. 🤷‍♂️✌️

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for the visit

[@SevenTheJester]

@@magicorthodoxy Of course. I'm here a lot, and thank you for everything you do. I'm actually trying to cobble together my first half hour. 🤷‍♂️

[@time_machine7013]

At bar, around the table, I do a few quick effects, but it’s too rowdy to get into a routine

[@magicorthodoxy]

ok

[@patrickdutton6056]

Awesome advice! There nothing more humbling than bombing Thx MrD

[@magicorthodoxy]

thanks for stopping by

[@ricardotavera1330]

David, do you or any of our friends here have any suggestions for a decent lavalier microphone that you/they like? I did a gig recently and the space was larger and more open than I was originally told, so I had volume issues and even though I've done theatre trying to project that much for a couple hours was hard... hence the microphone... thanks in advance.

[@severdia]

Also the Fitzkee trilogy Is indispensable for those learning how to build a routine, act, or even invent magic.

[@magicorthodoxy]

great tip

[@edblitch3549]

What would be an example that you like that follows those guidelines with 3 card tricks?!

[@magicorthodoxy]

These books have several great examples of 3 cards tricks built into a routine kzbin.info/www/bejne/qabKcqN4j51jZ8U

[@edblitch3549]

Sorry! I typed the question right before you got to the book suggestions. Typical me lol.

[@Migmir1313]

I think for starting the best solution if somebody buy whole routines.

[@magicorthodoxy]

interesting

[@andresilveira6818]

Obrigado 🔝🔝🔝🔝

[@ujjwal4715]

My concern is that mentalists should try to reveal the information, printed anywhere like on a t-shirt or on anything at least for one act

[@magicorthodoxy]

ok

[@a.b.4052]

You build a magic routine by doing one trick, then another, then another, till you stop.

[@magicorthodoxy]

lol

[@ghostmagicshow4026]

Your only as good as your last show

[@magicorthodoxy]

very popular quote