Want to Learn

[belinda]

I was just wondering if any of those on the board who actually perform magic can guide me. I would love to learn magic - particularly mentalism - but I have no idea where to go. I don't necessarily want to make a career or any money out of it - just purely for fun. How did you get started/learn?

[Lavie Enrose]

Originally posted by belinda
I was just wondering if any of those on the board who actually perform magic can guide me. I would love to learn magic - particularly mentalism - but I have no idea where to go. I don't necessarily want to make a career or any money out of it - just purely for fun. How did you get started/learn?

I would suggest you start at your local public library. There is usually a good selection of magic books at most public libraries, and the books are free to read.

The first thing you need to know about magic books is there are a lot of magic books that are badly written, have confusing directions, and contain tricks that just plain do not work. But don't get discouraged if you find books like this. Keep looking, and you will find some books that you like. Don't shy away from children's books on magic either, there can be some good tricks in those books as well.

Since you are completely new to magic, I would recommend the magic book:

Magic With Everyday Objects by George Schindler.

I am sure others here will have suggestions as well.

You may even be able to find some instructional videos on magic at your local public library as well.

Good luck!

[NoZed Avenger]

Check for magicians in your area.

SAM, the Society of American Magicians, probably has a local chapter near you ( www.magicsam.com/ ). IBM (Int'l Brotherhood of Magicians) is the other major group in the US.

Someone at a local magic store may be able to steer you to any lkocal organization or a possible mentor, but I would avoid buiying effects at this point. Books (and to a lesser extent, videos) are your cost-effective friends.

As for books, the Schindler one noted above is good for learning as is Bill Tarr's "Now you See It, Now You Don't." The Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic is an -excellent- resource for starting out.

As for mentalism, there are a couple of classics by Anneman and Corinda, but I would probably get a little background in more basic books before getting those. Kaye's Handbook of Mental Magic is a good starter that emphasizes mentalism effects.

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[volant]

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~roy/magictalk-wisdom/discussions/starting_in_mentalism.html

[belinda]

Thanks for the book recomendations - I will certainly try and get them. I don't think there will a local chapter of SAM (unless Australia became the 51st state without me noticing :D ) - but it did inspire me to find the Australian Society of Magicians.

Once again thanks for your guidance.:)

[NoZed Avenger]

Originally posted by belinda
Thanks for the book recomendations - I will certainly try and get them. I don't think there will a local chapter of SAM (unless Australia became the 51st state without me noticing

D'oh!

I had it in my head that you lived in the Northeast U.S. -- I don't know why I thought that, but I was so sure that I didn't even check your profile.

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