[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Before I share my first tip with you, it is important to know my basic approach to magic.

First, I think a magician should be able to do magic with normal, everyday items. Good magic, too, not just some half-assed puzzles or bar bets. One of the things that makes this possible is a solid grasp of fundamental sleight of hand that can be done with a variety of objects. This is why fundamental sleights are a large part of what I spend time practicing.

Second, I think the average spectator is a lot smarter than most magic retailers would have you believe, and this has far-reaching consequences for your performances. My essays are a series of tips on how to stay ahead of the curve so you can create convincing magical effects.

This brings me to my first tip. Online “trick-owners” create a discussion environment that implies being a good magician requires having a lot of things (gimmicks, DVDs, props, etc.). Actually, very nearly the opposite is true. By itself, buying more stuff will never make you a better magician; on the contrary, it can easily slow your progress. Too much stuff clutters the mind and makes it hard to focus on what is really valuable, on what you need to know. Improving as a performer can and should be a simple process. Simple, but not easy—unlike buying that next useless prop or DVD.

Here, then, are five simple steps:

  1. Define: What is the effect? How will your audience experience/remember it? Writing it down may help you decide if it is even worth learning in the first place.
  2. Practice: Train the move/effect in front of a mirror. Once you think you know what you are doing, use a video camera to record yourself. Be sure to check out all the different angles. You should also talk to the camera. Train everything, not just your hands.
  3. Perform: Once you can successfully do the move/effect/routine 10 times in a row without messing it up, it’s time to do it for someone. Be calm. Go in with a positive but realistic mindset: “I’m confident this will work; but if it doesn’t, it isn’t the end of the world.”
  4. Evaluate: Write down what you noticed from this performance. Think about what went well, and what didn’t. See if you can figure out what you can improve on the next time you do it. Now is a good time to play around with different presentational ideas and tweak the handling. Have fun.
  5. Correct: Make any necessary adjustments and repeat the cycle from the beginning. Be sure to perform for a new person at step 3.

No matter how well or poorly a performance goes, the next one is always a blank slate. The more time you spend performing—and then evaluating—the better you will become.

Remember: Often times the simplest advice is the hardest to follow.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]