Name of trick - arm/hand/finger twisting

Here_to_learn · 10th June 2008, 09:05 AM

For a company event the other week we had two Swedish guys doing a nice routine, with close-up magic as well as some scene magic.

One of the things they did is something I'd really like to look into how hard it would be to learn. Up on stage they instructed the audience to follow the instructions (and their example). The idea was to hold out your hands in front of you, clasp your fingers, wrap your arms in a certain way, turn it around, and at the final stage the magician on scene turned his hands around in a way that of course noone in the audience could replicate.

I was taking photos at the time, so I'm afraid I can't describe it much better than this, but I'm sure one of you in this group would be able to identify it, and point me in the right direction. Searching for it has so far only found me x million versions of the "twist your arm on the table" hits...

Thanks!

Phil · 10th June 2008, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Here_to_learn

For a company event the other week we had two Swedish guys doing a nice routine, with close-up magic as well as some scene magic.

One of the things they did is something I'd really like to look into how hard it would be to learn. Up on stage they instructed the audience to follow the instructions (and their example). The idea was to hold out your hands in front of you, clasp your fingers, wrap your arms in a certain way, turn it around, and at the final stage the magician on scene turned his hands around in a way that of course noone in the audience could replicate.

I was taking photos at the time, so I'm afraid I can't describe it much better than this, but I'm sure one of you in this group would be able to identify it, and point me in the right direction. Searching for it has so far only found me x million versions of the "twist your arm on the table" hits...

Thanks!

Surprised you couldn't find a video on YouTube.

It's a very simply trick. Can we reveal them here or is that a no-no?

Here_to_learn · 10th June 2008, 09:18 AM

I'm sure it's simple, but without having it in front of me it's still magic!

I guess I haven't found the right search terms for youtube (or for the magic shops)...

Phil · 10th June 2008, 09:22 AM

No, I see what you mean. Not an easy search. But try a youtube search for twisted hands gag. Should return what you need.

Here_to_learn · 10th June 2008, 09:26 AM

Ah, that's the one, although the routine i saw was a lot longer, but I guess that was just to build up for the final "gag".

Thanks for your help!

Phil · 10th June 2008, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Here_to_learn

Ah, that's the one, although the routine i saw was a lot longer, but I guess that was just to build up for the final "gag".

Thanks for your help!

You bet.

Here_to_learn · 14th July 2008, 10:07 AM

Just to report on a successful use. I tried it last week with a group of about 100 people on a scout camp, and it's amazing how well it works. I created a story around it to lead up to the finish, and everybody followed just perfectly.

The look in their eyes whey they couldn't follow my last move have me hooked on this kind of stuff!

What's most fascinating is the comment from the person that had an idea on what I planned to do (he was planning the happening). I told him the basic idea (story, hand twisting, others can't follow), and his comment afterward was: "I checked all the way through, to make sure that you didn't release your hands/change your grip, and you didn't." On my count I did it three times...

I also learned a couple of simple rubber-band tricks, and one rope trick for smaller audiences, and learned that with training, I could handle the audience (age 10-15).
So I'm hooked - time to check all the advice regarding books for beginners that I have seen in other threads!

10th June 2008, 09:05 AM	#1
Here_to_learn Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 1,064	Name of trick - arm/hand/finger twisting For a company event the other week we had two Swedish guys doing a nice routine, with close-up magic as well as some scene magic. One of the things they did is something I'd really like to look into how hard it would be to learn. Up on stage they instructed the audience to follow the instructions (and their example). The idea was to hold out your hands in front of you, clasp your fingers, wrap your arms in a certain way, turn it around, and at the final stage the magician on scene turned his hands around in a way that of course noone in the audience could replicate. I was taking photos at the time, so I'm afraid I can't describe it much better than this, but I'm sure one of you in this group would be able to identify it, and point me in the right direction. Searching for it has so far only found me x million versions of the "twist your arm on the table" hits... Thanks!
	Last edited by Here_to_learn; 10th June 2008 at 09:08 AM. Reason: better(?) description

10th June 2008, 09:13 AM	#2
Phil Master Satyr Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Society's underbelly Posts: 6,411	Originally Posted by Here_to_learn For a company event the other week we had two Swedish guys doing a nice routine, with close-up magic as well as some scene magic. One of the things they did is something I'd really like to look into how hard it would be to learn. Up on stage they instructed the audience to follow the instructions (and their example). The idea was to hold out your hands in front of you, clasp your fingers, wrap your arms in a certain way, turn it around, and at the final stage the magician on scene turned his hands around in a way that of course noone in the audience could replicate. I was taking photos at the time, so I'm afraid I can't describe it much better than this, but I'm sure one of you in this group would be able to identify it, and point me in the right direction. Searching for it has so far only found me x million versions of the "twist your arm on the table" hits... Thanks! Surprised you couldn't find a video on YouTube. It's a very simply trick. Can we reveal them here or is that a no-no?
	__________________ Dude looks like a Skepchick. "Damn...I agree with Phil...Now I need a shower." -- Mercutio

10th June 2008, 09:22 AM	#4
Phil Master Satyr Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Society's underbelly Posts: 6,411	No, I see what you mean. Not an easy search. But try a youtube search for twisted hands gag. Should return what you need.
	__________________ Dude looks like a Skepchick. "Damn...I agree with Phil...Now I need a shower." -- Mercutio

10th June 2008, 09:28 AM	#6
Phil Master Satyr Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Society's underbelly Posts: 6,411	Originally Posted by Here_to_learn Ah, that's the one, although the routine i saw was a lot longer, but I guess that was just to build up for the final "gag". Thanks for your help! You bet.
	__________________ Dude looks like a Skepchick. "Damn...I agree with Phil...Now I need a shower." -- Mercutio

10th June 2008, 09:18 AM	#3
Here_to_learn Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 1,064	I'm sure it's simple, but without having it in front of me it's still magic! I guess I haven't found the right search terms for youtube (or for the magic shops)...

10th June 2008, 09:26 AM	#5
Here_to_learn Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 1,064	Ah, that's the one, although the routine i saw was a lot longer, but I guess that was just to build up for the final "gag". Thanks for your help!

14th July 2008, 10:07 AM	#7
Here_to_learn Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 1,064	Just to report on a successful use. I tried it last week with a group of about 100 people on a scout camp, and it's amazing how well it works. I created a story around it to lead up to the finish, and everybody followed just perfectly. The look in their eyes whey they couldn't follow my last move have me hooked on this kind of stuff! What's most fascinating is the comment from the person that had an idea on what I planned to do (he was planning the happening). I told him the basic idea (story, hand twisting, others can't follow), and his comment afterward was: "I checked all the way through, to make sure that you didn't release your hands/change your grip, and you didn't." On my count I did it three times... I also learned a couple of simple rubber-band tricks, and one rope trick for smaller audiences, and learned that with training, I could handle the audience (age 10-15). So I'm hooked - time to check all the advice regarding books for beginners that I have seen in other threads!