ALEXKAZAM THE MAGIC MAN!
THE MAGIC MAN WHO CAN!
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SO YOU WANT TO BE A MAGICIAN?

 

As this website is really designed for adults organising children's parties, you either want to learn some tricks yourself or help a child learn some. Either way, similar principles apply.
 
If the motivation is just to learn how tricks are done, you will always be disappointed! It is only when you spend the time learning the moves, creating the story and pefecting the presentation that you see the real magic in performing magic.
 
Learning a simple trick is fun, taking it and making it your own by adding a great story, silly patter or an usual twist turns a mere trick into an illusion.  
 
 The best way to see if you want to learn a trick is to see it performed before learning the secret. Once you know the secret, it's very hard to imagine it as magic any more. The best way to see a trick performed is to watch a live magic demonstration or show. If you go to a magic shop this will be done with pleasure.
 
Failing that, plenty of internet based magic shops have clips of tricks being performed. Also, it's possible to buy plenty of magic DVD's showing the trick performed then explained in great detail. 

I would recommend a few simple books and buying some "utility" props before buying any expensive piece of apparatus which you may never use!

 

                                                                                                                         

 

 

  

 
 The section below is still under construction- I'm sorry for any inconvenience. Come back for the full explanations of the magic tricks!

Suggested magic to learn for beginners
The antigravity wand
 
 
 
An old favourate of mine, and a great beginner trick for adults and children alike is the "antigravity wand". The basic effect is that you take a wand, a pen or even a broom, rub it on your arm and it sticks to your hand with no apparent means of support.
 
This is not only easy to do, but can be done "impromtu", in other words, an any time anywhere mini illusion! The secret is, as with most magic, very simple. I cannot stress enough that it's how you perform the trick that makes it larger than the sum of it's parts, particularly with simple tricks.
 
 
 
 
 
As you can see, you use a sneaky way of holding the wand, be careful how you show the hand with the wand stuck to it so you don't give the secret away. The picking up the pen and rubbing it on your arm, or someone's head or cat or whatever is important- it adds misdirection and a little bit of drama to the trick. I always end with having someone touch the back of the hand and, at the moment they touch, I release the wand. This involves the spectator in the magic.
 
Can you see how a simple trick can be made into something more just by adding a few bits of fun? If you add some funny story to it, it becomes piece of entertainment and not just a trick.
 
 
  
 
  
Where to learn more and further resources
 
 Now, you may have learnt these simple tricks and performed them and thought, "I quite like this magic stuff, where can I find out more?". Actually, there is a wealth of magic out there, especially on the internet. I would recommend getting a few books or DVD's to start with and, if you're really keen, find out if your area has a magic club and join. A magic club is a great way to not only learn tricks but to perform them and get tips from other magicians.
 
If you are helping a child learn some tricks, then ensure you get magic books written and illustrated for children, the more advanced magic books will use language only comprehensible to experienced magicians! I would also steer away from cheap plastic magic tricks unless for very young magicians. When magic is done with such obvious apparatus, it becomes obvious that the apparatus is doing the magic! I would suggest learning magic with everyday things such as string, coins, dice,cards etc- then magic can be done almost anywere at almost any time, which is much more like real magic!
 
If you get more involved with magic and join a club, go to lectures and conventions, you'll discover a secret world! However, magic performed for magicians is different from magic performed for non magicians. A magician is more impressed with a fancy new move or difficult sleight of hand than by something that a lay audience is likely to find interesting! 
 
Magic clubs are great for learning new techniques and to practice so that you may get feedback from fellow magicians. As the techniques of magic are sworn to secrecy, it is also just about the only time you get to discuss the secrets!