There are three universal rules to learn when becoming a magician: Think of
them as the magician's code.
Never reveal the secret to
a trick—it ruins the mystery.
Practice to Perfection –
never show a trick until you can do it properly every time—A poorly done
trick inadvertently breaks rule No. 1.
Do not repeat tricks in
front of the same audience—no matter how much they beg! Most magic is
based on the spectator not knowing what to expect. The second time around
they will know what to look for, and might spot the secret!
Why is it so important to stick to these rules? All for the same
reason—maintaining the illusion. All magic is based on an illusion, and if that
illusion is not maintained, magic loses its impact. Other magicians will get
jaded audiences, and the audiences themselves will lose their ability to enjoy how
magic is done.
There are exceptions to the first and third rules. You would
reveal the secret to a trick if and only if you are instructing someone who is
just as passionate about magic as you, and who will abide by the three rules.
And some tricks are supposed to be repeated, mainly because there are surprise
effects in the repetitions.
The key elements of magic
Misdirection: Most
folks think this is only a physical action where, say—the right hand waves
about while the left makes a secret move. While this is sometimes the
case, misdirection is more psychological than physical. It is the ability
of the magician to focus the audience's attention on whatever he or she
wishes to successfully complete the illusion.
Patter:In its simplest
form is what the magician says while performing a trick. Sometimes it is a
story, sometimes a joke, sometimes a description of what the audience sees
("Now I cut the cards three times…")
Entertainment: Have
fun! It's why you are doing magic in the first place; as long as the
audience is being entertained then you are a success! You will have a
style all your own, molded a bit by all the magic you've been watching. If
you are good at telling jokes or being a bit silly, then make your
audience laugh while you do your tricks. If you lean more toward the
theatrical, strike a pose while you find their card. It bears repeating:
Have fun!