For many of you, this may be old news, but we wanted to start at the beginning for those just starting down this path.

For me, magic is 1 part hobby, 1 part art, 1 part manual dexterity, 1 part public speaking, 1 part practice and 1 part acting. You can make your own or buy one from a magic store, complete with a routine that is either a physical prop or video download.

Resources today not only include books, but online tutorials, YouTube teaching, magic clubs & forums and dozens of paid sites that all offer to teach you everything from the basics to full-blown stage illusions.

If you are brand new to magic… do yourself a favour and get an introductory book like Card College or The Definitive Sankey or a beginner’s Download like Ammar Exciting World of Magic By Michael Ammar

If you’re already into magic, browse any one of a number of magic stores (we, of course, recommend The Sleight Co.). Here you can browse hundreds of classic magic effects as well as the latest and greatest. We only post magic we personally like or would do.

You can just pick up a coin, deck of cards or many smaller items you find around you and practice some sleight of hand. There are hundreds of those resources on YouTube for the basics. For many of you, what I’ve listed above may not be new. Read on just to remind yourself of Magic 101 and why you became interested yourself.

What NOT TO DO… Chase every new trick that is released.

Don’t be me… I was in marketing for decades… you would think I would know better - nope. I chase all the new stuff whether it’s in my wheelhouse or not. Good news - I know a lot about different approaches & methods. Bad news - I am shite at remembering all of the presentations.

What TO DO… if you’re amazed and entertained by the trick you’ve seen, promise yourself to give the trick its due; practice, then practice some more and then show people. See how it lands. Alter what you say and see if that creates different reactions.

Focus on getting amazing at just a few tricks at first. The magic trick should NOT be the focus… it is the story and sense of wonder that you can weave for your friends, family & audience AROUND the trick itself. Make it your own, don’t just repeat what was on the training video… blend your life and experiences into the story you tell. Distance the “secret doings” and use misdirection to take heat off that specific moment.

Here’s an example:

The first trick I ever learned was Nickels to Dimes… sure, you can just show the nickels, put the copper cap on top and lift it up to show they’ve changed to dimes… but what if you wove a fun story…

You know who Aladdin & the Genie are… well, when I was a kid, my uncle told me how he earned money when he was younger. He found a magic genie in a small copper top… it was a very small genie and could only perform small miracles and only once a day, but miracles nonetheless. I can show you his favourite miracle.

You ask the spectator to hold the copper “genie” cap (it is fully inspectable before & after), remove the gimmick from your pocket and set it on the table and tell a story while looking right at them (not the gimmick on the table).

Take the copper cap from them, point at the nickels, slowly place the cap on the nickels and have them rub the lamp/cap on the top… lo and behold, my uncle just doubled his money.

Simple, yes, more impactful than you would think… give it a go with any of your effects.

Find your passion… what makes you thrilled to perform for others or just yourself. Whether it be cards, coins, rope, mentalism, levitation, comedy or children’s magic, there are thousands of large and small effects available at all different price points that are sure to amaze and entertain.

We have lots of ideas for future topics, but please leave comments below with any topic of interest you would like to see discussed in this forum.

Stay Amazing!

David Noshay