| Magic is all about performance and creativity, so | | | | them with trick after trick after trick. If you do |
| the rules of magic are extremely limited. But | | | | that, they'll lose interest and the magical effect will |
| having said that, it's vital that you follow the rules | | | | be lost. |
| that do exist, as they're designed to maintain the | | | | It's a fundamental rule of showbusiness - Always |
| mystery and credibility of magic. | | | | leave your audience wanting more. That's what |
| Break one of the four rules that follow and you'll | | | | creates part of the mystery that surrounds |
| waste the hours of practice that you've put in to | | | | magicians. It's just a case of learning when to |
| perfect the tricks that you perform. Oh yes, | | | | stop, as some people have more of an appetite |
| hours of practice are required to make magic | | | | for magic than others. |
| tricks look convincing. That's the fourth rule of | | | | 3) Quality Is Far More Important Than Quantity |
| magic, but we'll come to that in a moment. | | | | Who cares whether you can do 100 or 200 tricks! |
| 1) A Magician Never Reveals How A Trick Is | | | | Most people aren't ever likely to see you |
| Done | | | | performing more than handful of different tricks. |
| If you do a trick well, people will ask you how | | | | So focus on a few of your favorite tricks and |
| you did it. It's guaranteed. But a magician never | | | | learn them to perfection. |
| tells, because the moment someone knows how | | | | Think about it. Would you rather see an amazing |
| a trick is done, the mystery vanishes. | | | | trick performed perfectly or a string of average |
| So resist the temptation to spill the beans. If | | | | tricks? |
| necessary, perform another trick to take the | | | | Just remember - A trick that isn't perfect isn't |
| pressure off, because the moment people know | | | | magic. |
| your secret, the time you took to learn the trick | | | | 4) Practice, Practice, Practice |
| is effectively wasted. | | | | You've just learnt a new trick and you're keen to |
| There is of course one exception to the rule. | | | | see what type of reaction it creates. |
| If you know someone who is genuinely interested | | | | But if you really want to amaze people with your |
| in performing magic, and you can trust them not | | | | magic, don't even think about showing anyone |
| to spread the secret, give them all the | | | | until you can perform it perfectly every time. |
| encouragement that they need. | | | | And that means hours and hours of practice! |
| After all, new generations of magicians need to | | | | In fact some of the more complex, and |
| learn otherwise the secret of magic would die out. | | | | therefore more spectacular tricks, might take |
| 2) Find The Right Audience | | | | weeks or even months of practice to get right. |
| Your magic will have the greatest effect when | | | | And once a trick is perfect, practice some more. |
| you find the right audience. If people aren't in the | | | | Let's face it, if you perform a trick before you're |
| right frame of mind your efforts will be lost on | | | | ready, people will see through it and you'll |
| them. So don't just accost people at random and | | | | compromise all the hours that you've already |
| start showing them card tricks. | | | | spent learning how to do it. |
| The best situation is when people ask you to | | | | So remain patient and keep practicing. And when |
| show them some magic. | | | | you finally pull the wraps off your latest trick it will |
| And once you find the right audience, don't hit | | | | be worthy of the name, magic. |