Trick Two - The Library Card

The library card, what a great idea. You have a card selected, introduce a book you are currently reading and then the impossible happens. A page and the selected card change places. No gaff cards, just pure sleight of hand. So here is the trick:



Pros: Handling of the signed card is very slick. I like the fact you can involve the spectator throughout the entire trick. The magic happens in their hands!

Cons: I feel when the page pops out the deck the trick is over. Even though the transposition is impossible the spectators know how the trick is going to end. Only solution I have is riffle a couple times and let nothing happen. Build the tension, then riffle and the page shoots out. Just a handling idea...

Overall I feel this trick would play very well for the public. I might re-edit this when I get a new computer.

Coming up next, Hi-Ho Silver!

See you next week

Trick One - Ace Trap

Well the first video is finally up. Sorry about the delay problems with the video editing software. First time growing pains, oh well. Here is the trick:



Pros: I love the inital move, extremely clever in my opinion. I think the effect is very succinct and easy for the layman to follow. I changed the last move to better suit my style.

Cons: I feel one move in the middle of the routine is a little gutsy, but I think it would fly by unless you draw attention to it.

Overall I think this a truly great routine.

First Book Revealed.... Super Magic by Paul Harris

Well, it has been a week and I have decided what book I will work through first. After much deliberation and help from my mentors I have decided to go with SuperMagic by Paul Harris.

This book has so much good magic that I am really excited to start working through it. Some highlights for those not familiar with the book are: Ultimate Rip-off, Earth Shoes, and even Reset.

So from here on out videos will start to be uploaded tracking my progress through SuperMagic. Next week check back for my first video, of the first trick in the book Ace-Trap.

Side Note: I have reached out to Paul Harris, to let him know what I am trying to accomplish. When he responds I will make sure to post it here.

And so it begins …

Dave’s Modern Magic - Inaugural Post

Mission Statement

The mission of this experiment, or blog, will be to chronicle one man’s journey through some classic magical texts. Through this experiment I hope to bring to light some great magic books that might have been overlooked in recent years. I also hope that through this experiment some magicians find inspiration to pick up an older magic book and find a “gem” for themselves.

Here we go...

So hello out there to anyone who is reading this blog. If you found this blog by accident great, if not welcome to the inaugural post. This experiment will hopefully be the beginning of something worthwhile.

So I know what you are thinking, what is Dave’s Modern Magic? Essentially this will be, One Man’s Journey through Magic Books One Trick at a Time.

This all started as a challenge to myself, could I actually work through an entire magic book learning every trick in the book, and not just the ones that I felt suited me. I have tried this before but always fell short. So I thought creating this blog would keep me honest and on track. Just saying I worked through everything would not be enough for me so this is where the Internet comes in.

Here’s how I hope this will work:
First I will pick a book that I have always wanted to work through and start at the beginning. Giving myself a deadline of one week to learn the trick, video myself performing the trick and then post it here for all to see and comment on.

Why am I doing this:
This is bound to change over time, but as of right now here is what I have. First and foremost to accomplish something I have never done before, learning an entire magic book cover to cover. I also hope to provide a video archive of some classic close-up found in older magic books. Plus working through these classic texts will hopefully expand my close-up repertoire and enhance my close-up “chops” as well.

Book Selection:
I will choose the books at the beginning strictly on personal preference. Later on if you want to recommend a book you can send an email suggesting a title. I will not take on any extremely large tomes, such as the Stuart James Collection. One goal for this blog will be to cover at least 2 books a year, if I can do more great. I will also try to vary my selections so you can see magic from various times, various authors and hopefully see a progression in technique and ideas.

Mandatory Disclaimer:
I do not claim originality to any of the effects I will present. You will know what book the effect is from and who the proper credits belong to. 95% of the effect presented will be as written; I am giving myself 5% leeway just in case I make a slight handling change to better suit myself.
So one more time, these are not original effects.

Sounds easy right, I hope so but things are usually never as easy as it seems.

Finally, I am not doing this to be recognized. As stated above, I am doing this to shed light on some books that may have been overlooked or even forgotten. I am supplying an email at the bottom so if you have any questions or want to let me know what you think of the blog please drop me an email.

Next week I will post the first book I will begin to work through …

So, let the journey begin!