Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Preparing to learn magic
• Part 2 of 4: Learning magic tricks
• Part 3 of 4: Floating a card
• Part 4 of 4: Performing and perfecting your tricks
• Tips
• Warnings

For centuries, magic tricks have baffled and entertained people all over the world. Magic tricks are a great way to socialize and make new friends, but you can also use these tricks to impress friends, family, and passers-by. Doing magic tricks can improve your public speaking skills and even become a fulfilling hobby (or your job).

To step

Part 1 of 4: Preparing to learn magic

1. Train your dexterity. An important part of many magic tricks, especially those where dexterity is important, is based on the dexterity of your hands and distraction from your audience. Some things you can do to get your finger on the pulse and make magic tricks easier include:
   • Sewing and embroidery
   • Learning to play an instrument
   • Paint
   • Model making
2. Improve your strength and reflexes. You may have to practice a trick many times before you can master it and perform it in front of an audience. Strength will help you endure even when your muscles are getting tired, and reflexes will help correct your mistakes while practicing and performing. Ways to train strength and reflexes are:
   • Cross-country running
   • Dodge ball
   • Video games (especially reaction / precision games)
   • Racquetball
3. Refine your attention and concentration. Your mental strength emulates your physical body in the sense that it can be strengthened through training. When you are on stage you don't want your focus or concentration to decrease (which would otherwise result in a failed trick). You can do the following:
   • Meditate
   • Exercise regularly
   • Memorize things
   • Concentration exercises
4. Gain insight into psychology. In addition to mastering a magic trick physically, a little psychological insight can help you achieve the most success when performing tricks.Your tricks will be more effective if you understand the psychology behind group dynamics, perception and illusion.

Part 2 of 4: Learning magic tricks

1. Find learning resources. These can be books, videos or websites that give you insight into the mechanics behind the magic. You can search the magic section of the local public library in section 793.8 (Dewey decimal system) or GV 1541-1561 (Library of Congress system).
   • Most bookstores have magic books in the hobbies or games section.
2. Choose a trick that interests you. You can browse your learning resources until you find a trick that captivates and intrigues you. This interest will motivate you for the exercises and repetitions needed to master the trick.
   • It can help if you start with a trick that uses common objects, otherwise you may need to invest in gear first for a complicated trick. Some common items used in basic magic tricks include: playing cards, coins, and toothpicks.
3. Follow the instructions carefully. Use the specified objects (also called props), and try to follow the instructions as closely as possible while practicing rules or formulas (also called "patter"). Repeat the instructions until you have memorized the movements and wording or formulas.
   • Even if you don't like the sales pitch provided, speaking while doing the tricks will prepare you to interact with your target audience after you've learned and mastered the trick.
4. Practice your trick blind. Remove the instructions from your sight and pretend there is an audience in front of you. Keep practicing your trick in this way until you can do it smoothly and without hiccups.
   • Try your trick from a variety of positions, such as standing or sitting.
   • Practice in front of a mirror and watch your expressions. Do they come across naturally? Do you see opportunities to sharpen your performance?
5. Make changes to your performance. You may be left-handed and your trick requires a right-handed movement. Don't be afraid to change right or left handedness, if it helps make the trick easier.
   • Also consider adapting the text to your personality and performance. Experiment with the wording that is more casual, formal, or humorous, or cut out your talk altogether and do your act in silence, or with music playing in the background.

Part 3 of 4: Floating a card

1. Gather your materials. This simple trick requires a few attributes to create the illusion of floating a spinning map. The trick requires the following:
   • A playing card
   • Adhesive tape
   • Clear elastic thread / fishing line (about three feet long).
2. Construct your illusion. For this illusion, secure the wire to the back of your playing card with clear tape. For best results, construct it so that the line leads up and away from the center of the back of your card.
3. Make a loop with the fishing line. Before you can do this trick quickly and without suspicion, you need to make a loop or a simple adjustable knot at the loose end of the line. You can hang it over a button on your shirt, on your belt buckle or anywhere else on your clothing, such as your sleeve.
   • Take the time to determine the best length for this trick. You need enough line so that you can launch the card from your hand so that it hangs down and spins.
4. Determine the optimal route for your line. Depending on your hand, there may be a better way to hide your fishing line, but you can try running the line between your index and middle fingers, along the back of your hand parallel to the crease between your thumb and index finger, then to the button of your shirt or belt.
5. Practice floating the map. Make sure the invisible line doesn't get tangled, and shuffle a deck of cards until you're ready to float your card. Then lift your hand with your fingers spread and catch the invisible thread between index and middle fingers. Hold the deck of cards loosely while doing this, and as you raise your hand, the card will be lifted by your invisible thread, as if the card were floating.
   • Alternately, you can shake until you're done, then pick up the prepared card and launch it with a gesture like throwing a Frisbee. This will quickly spin your card in the air. Don't use too much force! If your card moves too much, the audience may discover that there is a pivot point on which the card hangs.

Part 4 of 4: Performing and perfecting your tricks

1. Do the trick in front of a test audience. If possible, you should try the trick on someone you superficially or don't know first, as these people will be more impartial. Regardless of the response, gauging your target audience can help you better understand how to improve the performance.
2. Make notes after each performance. It's easy to forget details, especially after the hustle and bustle of a performance. Keep a small diary or notebook handy and write down the responses to your accomplishments once you are done.
   • Also pay attention to any personal criticism. Parts you tripped over need to be ironed out with more practice; awkward pauses or other problems can be improved by refining or thinking up other texts.
3. Please review, change and retest the trick. Make changes according to your notes and rehearse your trick until you get used to it again. Now you are ready to try your trick in front of another subject, or maybe even a small test audience.
4. Return to the stage. The atmosphere will always be different when you are on stage and do your performance. You will have to prepare physically and emotionally for your test audience, but now you have to return to your stage, even if it is just a class or the break room of your office.

Tips

• Remember, the effect of the trick and the fun it creates are more important than the secret. Choose a trick based on the pleasure you get from performing it, rather than the complexity of the secret.
• Spend your time perfecting a few tricks, instead of learning many tricks at once. Professional magicians often rehearse, improve and change their tricks until they are happy with the result. Sometimes this process takes several weeks, months, or even years of tinkering.
• Learning magic tricks is similar to learning a role in a play. Each trick is like an act within a larger scene. If you find that multiple tricks you like go well together, combine them in a magic routine.

Warnings

• Be careful with tricks that use sharp objects, fire, or other dangerous attributes. Follow all instructions exactly as described. If you are unsure about the safety of a trick, it may be a good idea to skip it.