Newbie Time

[three_penny]

Hello! I'm new to the community. I've been doing magic for about a year now, so, still very much a beginner

Comments

[tribun]

i do magic since 4 years now. and i have never read a whole magic-book. instead i've watched plenty of videos ;)
but the main aspect why everyone says its good to read magic-books is, that you might miss some important details on video.
e.g. when you display 5 cards as 4 (holding a double in one hand). in the video you see how it looks and you can try it easily yourself. but you probably will miss a detail which might be described in the book: hold the hand without the double slightly more to the audience, so the "dirty" hand is more covered and not that conspicuous.
but for me, i'm able to spot those details from a video (mostly) and have troubles to imagin something from a book (at least because i always have to switch "right" with "left" hand and vise versa because i'm left-handed ;)
so do it the way you like it the most. that can't be that wrong as it's still a fun-hobby, right?

[richlayers]

I think it's easier to learn ANYTHING you do with your hands from a demonstration than a book. Even if there are illustrations, you are trying to recreate a movement from a a still image.

So I wouldn't be concerned that you're having trouble with it. Do it the way it works for you. :)

[abracadavey]

I understand that it can be hard to learn from a book, but I would still start there. Go to the video if you are having trouble, or go to a magic meeting. Look into a local chapter of IBM or SAM.
When you learn from a book, you learn to do the effect as YOU. Many times when learning from a DVD, we perform the trick as the guy in the DVD.

[three_penny]

This is a good point, and is actually the reason I bought the book in the first place. Do you know of any magic meetings in the New York area?

[smappdooda]

I have been at this a long time and never really had books OR video. I just kinda made stuff up as I went along. Mind you I was a stage guy first.

I think a combo of the two is best. One is good for some while the other leaves you more free to develop your own style.

[papillion_2_uk]

In my opinion, the best way to learn magic is the way that works best for *you*. Whether that's books, dvds or being taught in person - just try as many different ways until you find the right one.