10 Quick Tips to Improve Your Sleight of Hand

in beginners •  7 years ago  (edited)
sleight-of-hand


1) Choose just one trick at a time. Many magic shops push magicians to constantly buy every new magic trick they sell. However, this may not be the smartest move. Choose only one technique, or trick, and work on nothing else until it's mastered. Only once you have developed that effect to a professional level of performance, should you move onto your next magic trick to work on. Over the years, you will build up a bank of mastered material, rather than spending years jumping form one trick to the next, never mastering any.

2) Practice.
Daily, in small, short sessions. Many experts suggest the practice drill principle: Running through the moves 15 times each morning and again 15 times later in the day, for 20 days. If you struggle to do that, just try to do 10 minutes work daily. Short, consistant sessions are the most effective.

3) Don't practice sleight of hand in silence.
Try to talk as you practice. If you find you often 'freeze' when you perform a move in front of people? Saying the lines gives you cues for the motions and really helps prevent this.

4) Rehearse.
Avoid running through the motions too quickly. Perform all the magic trick from start to finish, imagining it's a real performance. Do this just as much as you practice the mechanics of the trick.

5) You are probably going to fast
Slow is much better than fast. Sudden quick moves raise suspicion. Chances are, the pace you feel naturally comfortable at is still too quick.

6) Make sure your sleight of hand looks real.
When deciding on a new sleight, make sure it looks natural. Do the action for real, then adjust the sleight to match your real gesture or movement. For example: Really turn a playing card over, then ensure it looks the same when you pretend to do the action. Avoid obscure, flashy moves that look good but nothing like real life actions.

7) Check your sleight of hand looks effortless.
focus on looking relaxed and happy when you do a move. Don't hesitate, freeze, close your eyes or look guilty as you do it. Recording your performance is a good way to see this happening.


8) Make sure your sleight of hand is clear and visible.
Check your hand positions. Are you covering up the action with your fingers, or the backs of your hands? Work on a light touch, showing as much as possible to all around you.


9) Reduce all unneeded movements.
Go over your routine, removing pauses that don't add to the trick.
Cut out and gestures or movements that may be totally innocent, but actually make the spectator think something suspicious may have happened.

10) Actually perform your sleight of hand live.
Seriously, you will develop your technique way beyond anything you can learn in private, once you start showing people your magic live. Don't fall into the trap of performing only on YouTube. That will stop you getting real feedback from your audience's reactions. Instead, show your family and friends, your work, once it's ready and you will improve it way beyond what you thought was possible.

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Wishing you the best wish your magic

Dominic Reyes
http://www.DominicReyes.com

 

 

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