Breaking The Rules For Music In Magic Presentation

[AshleyHall]

This post has been edited due to the amazing responses and assistance I have received here... you guys are awesome! Cheers...

 

[Luis Vega]

Do any of you use music in your magic presentations and if a piece of music fits well with the scripting or trick, lets say The Floating Rose, what music would you use in presentation of that effect? Guess what I'm trying to say is it easier for a performer "to trust their gut" when it comes to their own magic and that includes incorporating music into the overall package presented onstage? or is it better to go to sites like themagiccafe among many others and try to gain insight to music and presentation?

I really want to trust my instincts here and just do what I feel is right... at least thats what Chris Kenner told me when he responded to a facebook post of mine regarding people not liking some of my magic and the musings within... and these ideas haven't even made it to the stage yet... lots of work left to do! just having second thoughts about the whole "magical transformation" I'm seeming to experience at the moment... so do you all trust that instinct when it comes to all things well rounded diet for your magic musings and presentations?

It highly depens on what you are trying to achieve and the main purpose of your performance...and your style

my style is more urban-like and a little bit dark...but I agreee I can´t just put a very dark song, because that would alineate the audience...especially if it´s not the usual audience to whom I perform...

I´ll leave you a couple of the song I use in my show...

For my opener I use this song on a very dinamic performance with red lights, manipulation and floating red light cane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzhBfalx2fw

for a more relax performance of needle swallowing I use this one..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xc2Gf6CjNg


Edit: one more thing... I encourage you to introduce a little anarchy and do what you feel it´s right...

 

[RickEverhart]

It all depends on your character and the demographics of the audience. I like Luis's choices for him but in no way shape or form would those work for my stage show or kids shows. I use funny music or sometimes theme songs from game shows and such. It all depends on the mood and your effects. One time I inserted a serious song with an effect that I thought went well but clearly the audience didn't agree. It is sort of touchy.

 

[William Draven]

The only "rule" for music Ashley is that the music selection should in no way overpower the magic being presented. The music should complement, or work with but never outshine. For that reason many performers chose to use instrumental pieces, but that isn't necessarily the standard. Go with what you feel is right. Does the score bring something to the performance? Do your movements sync with the music? Does the lyrics hold an extra meaning when viewed with your performance? These are the kind of questions that when answered will help you guide you in your quest.

For floating rose, I'd consider this piece:

For a presentation that is reflective of a memory or a loved one that we get the idea isn't present with us anymore. Ignore the video. Just listen to the music. Imagine the scene.
Black stage. Single spotlight on center stage, a lone table stands, draped. On the table a blank picture frame, an empty candle holder, and empty vase. The performer walks on from stage left. He/she looks at the table and picks up the picture frame. Waves a hand over it and a picture of a pretty girl/boy appears in it. The performer sighs and sets the picture frame back down on the table. He/she plucks a "petal" of red colored flash paper from a flower on their lapel and ignites it with a match, a rose appears formed between the open fingertips as the flash paper burns out. The flower is placed into the vase, and the performer produces a silk from his/her finger tip to wipe a tear from their eye. From the silk a candle is produced, set into a candle holder on the table and lit. From there something marvelous begins to happen. The rose slowly begins to float, and hover around the performer as if guided by the spectral hand of the non present loved one. Hope sparkles in their eyes as they enjoy the moment. As the song comes to a close the rose is taken into the performers hands and the spell is broken. The performer places the rose down in front of the picture and walks off stage. Some how I can't shake the feeling that a snow storm belongs in here somewhere, but I'm not sure how to justify it. Anyways this is just something that ran through my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj1Z3IF14qE