I'm Stuck

[jok3r]

ive been practicing for about 6 or 7 months now, i perform for whoever i can, whenever i can.
I mostly do cards, and i have a hand full of tricks.
so what do i do now?
i practice pretty much everyday, im always working on my tricks.
now im stuck, i dont know what to do now.
i want to buy anything new really, im getting totally out of control soon.
but besides that i think i have plenty of material

any suggestions?

 

[adjones]

Perform more. If you're good enough, try to start getting gigs. Build great routines, and then refine them. Then show them to magicians and laypeople alike get feedback, and fine-tune them even further.

Trust me, there's still plenty to do.

 

[jok3r]

Perform more. If you're good enough, try to start getting gigs. Build great routines, and then refine them. Then show them to magicians and laypeople alike get feedback, and fine-tune them even further.

Trust me, there's still plenty to do.

can you point me in the right direction on how to build great routines?

 

[adjones]

can you point me in the right direction on how to build great routines?

Great may have been an extreme word. But you should start off with something flashy and quick to get their attention- make sure it's fairly good. Then go into a slightly less amazing effect, and finally build back up to the grand finale, which should be the best effect in the set.

That should get you started, at least. I know it wasn't very in-depth, but I'm about to go to bed, and there are better resources than me out there to learn about routining.

 

[jok3r]

Great may have been an extreme word. But you should start off with something flashy and quick to get their attention- make sure it's fairly good. Then go into a slightly less amazing effect, and finally build back up to the grand finale, which should be the best effect in the set.

That should get you started, at least. I know it wasn't very in-depth, but I'm about to go to bed, and there are better resources than me out there to learn about routining.

hahah alrighty thanks for the help

 

[adjones]

hahah alrighty thanks for the help

No problem, even though I didn't do much. I'll try to explain it a little more clearly real quick.

Go through all your effects, and pick ones that you might actually perform if you were doing a real gig. Then, sort those into different types of venue you would use them in (parlour, stage, walk-around, table hopping, etc.). After that, go through each venue, and label the tricks on how good they are with a system of 1,2,3,4, and 5 (5 being the most powerful). For your routine, you want to start off with a 3 or 4. After that, go down to 2, then a 3, then a 4, and finally a 5. You should have at least three of these for each venue you plan on performing at.

And the tricks themselves don't have to flow seamlessly together, but make sure your presentation allows for at least semi-smooth transitions.

Hopefully I did a better job that time!

 

[jok3r]

No problem, even though I didn't do much. I'll try to explain it a little more clearly real quick.

Go through all your effects, and pick ones that you might actually perform if you were doing a real gig. Then, sort those into different types of venue you would use them in (parlour, stage, walk-around, table hopping, etc.). After that, go through each venue, and label the tricks on how good they are with a system of 1,2,3,4, and 5 (5 being the most powerful). For your routine, you want to start off with a 3 or 4. After that, go down to 2, then a 3, then a 4, and finally a 5. You should have at least three of these for each venue you plan on performing at.

And the tricks themselves don't have to flow seamlessly together, but make sure your presentation allows for at least semi-smooth transitions.

Hopefully I did a better job that time!

ah wow that does help thanks.

another question, as far as patter goes what do you use?
i mean do you make up stories, or just kinda go with the flow.
do you have a set patter for each trick, or maybe just some.

 

[Tyler Johnson]

ah wow that does help thanks.

another question, as far as patter goes what do you use?
i mean do you make up stories, or just kinda go with the flow.
do you have a set patter for each trick, or maybe just some.

Well, I don't know about AdJones, but I work with a sort of loose script for patter. I have certain things I do want to state and let the spectator know, but other than that, I'm just my old witty self (lol). But, you might be different! I just flow better without a script because I like to interact with the audience and expand on things they've said. Anyway, I'm exhausted, it's 3:00am here, I'm going to bed. Peace!

Tyler

 

[jok3r]

Well, I don't know about AdJones, but I work with a sort of loose script for patter. I have certain things I do want to state and let the spectator know, but other than that, I'm just my old witty self (lol). But, you might be different! I just flow better without a script because I like to interact with the audience and expand on things they've said. Anyway, I'm exhausted, it's 3:00am here, I'm going to bed. Peace!

Tyler

thats exactly how i am, i just was wondering if planned patter is a must.
thanks for the advice

 

[Randomwrath]

thats exactly how i am, i just was wondering if planned patter is a must.
thanks for the advice

I never use perfectly scripted planned patter. It seems too...unnatural and doesn't allow any leeway.
As far as making a routine is concerned, one important thing I believe Drew missed out is this: don't do endless 'pick a card' tricks. Two at the very most. And don't do just cards. Have a break between card tricks, but have a reason for moving onto coins or whatever, for example the deck vanishes. You get the idea. I'm gonna stop now 'coz my spelling seems to be going downhill (it's too cold, I swear that's what it is!) so good look with your routine!

 

[Jack Webster]

This is a great time. This is the time were you work on your performance more and less about tricks. It might feel like you have no new tricks but when you show tricks to people they will like them more. You might started creating more tricks now.