I am new to magic, where should I start.

[skippy]

Hi I am very keen to start learning some magic. I have always enjoyed magic but been too busy doing other things to dedicate a reasonable amount of time to learn. I now have the time and motivation to get started, can anybody give me some advice on a good starting point/trick?
I would like to learn one trick well and build on that, Ideally it would be something that can do to entertain and distract unwell and injured kids when I am at work and my kids at home.

 

[MattTarrant]

Hi Skippy,

Welcome to the site mate.

What kind of magic are you looking at?

There are a heap of types/styles of magic, and usually you will focus mainly upon one.

If your looking at kids magic, perhaps something like sponge ball magic?

If that interests you, Jay Noblezada has a great dvd called 'Sponge' which is available through Penguin Magic - http://www.penguinmagic.com/noblezada.php.

This may be a great start for kids magic.

Look forward to speaking to you,
Matt

 

[industrialchild]

Hey there Skippy, have you given any thought as to what you wanted to start out with. In other words what appeals to you the most: cards, coins, mentalism, etc. You can do all of them eventually, but i'd start out with what appeals to you the most. I don't know what the book stores are like in Australia, but i'd start with a book. If you could find a copy of Mark Wilson's Complete Course of Magic or Joshua Jay's Course on Magic i'd say those two would be excellent resources. They are pretty cheap for the amount of magic they have in them.

 

[supernaturalone]

For years, I have been imploring magicians to get the complete
Tarbell Course in Magic. Harlan Tarbell teaches in this course how to become a real magician. As he says right in the beginning of Volume One, “One can give medicine to a friend, but that does not make him a doctor.” Tarbell trains people to be real magicians knowing the mechanics and fundamentals of magic.

Far too many young performers think that mastering magic is learning just sleights and words. Studying Tarbell teaches you what it is really all about. When you understand the total concept of what it means to be a magician, you will act and perform accordingly. When you do, your audience will recognize you as a skilled performer and give you the attention and respect necessary to work your miracles.

 

[Wallmott]

Card college vol 1, best place to learn card magic.

 

[skippy]

Hi Matt, I am tossing up between coins and cards, both really appeal to me, but I probably am leaning to coins as I feel that these would probably be the easiest to use whilst I am at work ( I am a Paramedic and believe this could help upset kids and even help distract them from there pain).
I will definitely check out the spongeball magic as well as other texts that supernaturalone and industrialchild have recommended.
Thank you all very much, I will let you know how I am getting on.
Cheers,

Rob