Big Hello to all bros & sis in SMC.

Not trying to break the tradition, here is a big hello to all in here.

Loved watching magic when I was young, and has been trying to pick this up. But can't find any classes ard neither any good source till I google it and found this forum.

I'm 27 Chinese Male currently in the media industry and also co own a tattoo shop in AMK. Would love to hear more from you guys on what should I do, and how to begin.

I am very interested in street magic style (David Blaine) and would love to find out how should I begin learning this. I don't mind you guys coming down to my humble shop for small gathering and also to teach me somethings along the way. (in small grps of course, don't own a large shop space)

Nothing too formal yeah, penning down from here. Hear from you soon!! Safe Magic, Cheers. .

Welcome to this place known as SMC.

There are some places that teach magic in Singapore, but from my own opinion, I think it's actually best to learn on your own. It's cheaper for one.

You can start of with just buying books, eg Royal Road to Card Magic or head over to buy some beginner card dvds.

If you're interested to just want to learn and straight away perform, I think some of Penguinmagic's beginner dvd is not that bad. They are for beginners and have in mind for those who are interested in magic from David Blain etc and just want to learn something straight away and perform in.

Otherwise, if you're more patient, get the books. Then get Ammar's Dvd. I'm assuming you like cards.

If you like coins, head over to David Roth. And if you have lots of $$, try getting Gregory Wilson's stuff! Awesome magic he has. The journey of magic is a long one.

Hope you enjoy it!

Oh ya! I'm just going to do a double post and say, a good way to learn magic is to watch other people perform and see what kind of magic is out there.

Therefore I highly encourage to watch as many performances there are out there and since SMC is having a competition, I highly recommend going down for Legerdemain 2010 competition that is coming VERY VERY soon.

It will broaden your mind and give you ideas. Really cool. :D Try to attend and watch if possible.

Hmm... Which part of AMK is your tattoo shop?

Hi Bro,

its @ AMK Ave 10, blk 555. EMN Tattoos

Hi Mabas,

thanks for the heads up, am trying to pick up other tricks like coins, psychic etc. Any good books to recommend? and also if there is any good magic shops out there that sells cheap and nice stuff?

Oh my... very near my house, or rather future house.

Magic's not cheap so I don't really know of places which are cheap here. Hhaha.. Of course there is always the internet but shipping always kills my pocket.

Anyway, for coin, you can try to get David Roth's Expert Coin Magic DVD set and Bobo's Modern Coin Magic book. That's a great way to start.

For psychic, its a bit tricky. I bought Beyond ESP 2 ages ago. Its a darn good ESP deck. I think it's sold out though. That along with Submodalities DVD was an awesome thing to have for ESP decks.

If you're into Fork bending, try Liquid Metal DVD. And in it, it said that it was based on another DVD. I forgot the name. But that other DVD is something you can get if you find Liquid Metal to be cool.

Being Psychic is hard. It's not my forte, so I can't share much.

I would actually recommend to learn rubber band magic! It's readily available and is not suspicious in anyway PLUS its magical. You should go read up or get some DVDs on that. It's a killer if done well. :D

Cool, when u moving in? prolly can catch up over some drinks, who knows might be able to pick up a trick or 2 from you. . :)

Thxs Mabas,

am trying to pick up mentalism 1st, was always more fascinated by this magic. btw, any good shops or websites you can refer me to pick up some magic books and stuff? thanks bro!!

You can try digging some old threads at the Magic Dealers review, maybe you can find some good stuff. Do remember to support original magic! =D For mentalism, u can check out Banachek (mentalist/magician), he has couple of Dvds/tricks for sale, mainly on mentalism.

The DVD in question is Psychokinetic Silverware, by Banachek.

You can get books from local bookshops but most magic books are sold in magic shops.
A book that is always recommended by magicians is Mark Wilson's "Complete Book of Magic". This is a cheap and good book. It has about 500 over pages and cost less than S$50.

The DVDs and stuffs others have recommended here are good too. I think for a start do not get top many stuffs, you will tend to skip and miss some good stuffs. Learn the basics and slowly proceed.

Usually, people tend not to share or reveal secrets of magic if they don't really know you.

For a start, the most basic and important rule in magic is "Never reveal the Secret". The next rule would be "Never repeat the same trick twice to the same spectator".

Oh ya! That's it.

ANYWAY

Try searching around the internet for local magic shops. There's tons of em. Errrmm. Maybe not a Ton, but a significant. Just search for something you like in them, cross check prices and choose the one you like.

Maybe you might want to start with an Invisible deck? It's Mentalism. And it's AWESOMELY simple and Effective!!

Just something for you to start with. I love my Invisible deck.

Hi Guys,

thanks for the tons of info. looks like i'll be getting the Invisible deck & Mark Wilson's "Complete Book of Magic". Next question is where to get it? can give some opinions on the best shop to get my stuff? saw the review for MH doesnt seem tat good. Where else should I be going to?

PSSST. I'll share you a secret. Mark Wilson's book is available in the National Library. Don't tell anyone I told you. Shhhh!!!

I borrowed it from there before. Anyway, it is a beginner book. Really good stuff in it. But as I mentioned, beginner. :)

thxs Mabas. . lots of secrets ard here. . Secret squirrels code!! Sssshhhh. .

P/s: I cant make it for the magic contest this coming Sun, else wanted to meet up with you to share some tips on how i should start and what i should avoid for a start too. .

I wouldn't consider Mark Wilson's a beginner, there are even stage illusions in this book.

Something to avoid, do not pay $25 for a single trick taught 1 on 1. You are better off buying a book or DVD.

Cool, sounds logical ya. .

Saw some cool tricks / props on the net. they cost ard $30 - $50. only a single trick taught. should this be the ones I should be avoiding?

What Magicdow meant was lessons taught by a magician teaching only 1 trick/effect for $25.

On the other hand, props, dvds, effects, that cost $30 - $50 with only 1 trick or effect may be good or maybe bad. That one totally depends on the said item itself. Eg. I find Criss Angel's Coin In Soda DVD with only 1 effect worth it cause it's a good technique to me. To each his own. :D I find Jay Sankey's Hell Bent a total waste of my money. :( I bought that.

Different items need to be assessed differently.

got that. . Btw I'm purchasing this few items to start off with. is it good?

1. xtreme beginnerz
2. Shapeshifter magic card trick
3. army of 52
4. Banachek PSI 1 & 2

If you are REALLY a beginner... I should think army of 52 might not be too suitable for you. You do need to know some intermediate sleights to pull them off.

For the Shapeshifter, I always don't think it's worth buying a DVD for just one move. Shapeshifter is basically just a color change.

From your titles, I see you want to learn a wide variety of effects at one go. It might not be too advisable. Take small steps in the beginning. SAve you some money and plenty of time.

Cool, thxs for the advise on this. Really a newbie in this field. So not sure if i'm buying the wrong stuff etc. Will get in the recommended ones then, am looking for Mark Wilson's "Complete Book of Magic"

Any Idea where I can get a 2nd hand one? or is anyone pass this book and wanna hand it down? do let me know guys, Cheers. .

I don't recommend you to buy "Shapeshifter" either, I find it too costly for one sleight. Do you have any specific kind of magic you want to specialize in, like cards/coins/mentalism?

Hey Aaron buddy,

am more keen to learn mentalism 1st. so will be getting banachek's PSI 1 & 2 in. any good books or DVDs you can recommend?

Best if you know anyone else selling it, been googling ard to find all this. .

For mentalism, Max Maven video min vol 1 to 3. Its the best mentalism DVD out there.

Hello there!

Just for your information, I just dropped by borders at wheelock place just now and I saw they had one last Mark Wilson book left there(not sure if there is any stocks in stores) It is selling for 40++.

argh, the last book left after the flood!! I will drop by later to pick it up then. . precious last book left!!

Thxs Dow, I will go google for it in a bit. . picking up my 1st magic dvds this wkend. . hope it comes in useful and won't be too hard to understand!!

Hi Nemesistwin, I recommend you to get "13 steps to Mentalism by Tony Corinda", it's a must-have book if you want to specialize in mentalism. And may I recommend Stigmata by Wayne Houchin, there are three versions of the effect in the DVD and it's bound to give you good reactions; the good thing is, there is little sleight of hand is involved. ;) May I ask what DVDs you are planning to buy?

I'll check out Video Mind by Max Maven, thanks for the recommendation Magicdow.

Hey Aaron,

thanks for your updates on this. . am getting the below to start off with.

1. xtreme beginnerz
4. Banachek PSI 1 & 2

Let me know if there is anymore good DVDs or books I should be picking up ya, Cheers. .

I really think that you should get Max Maven first before you get Banachek unless you prefer metal bending.

all righty, will get both in ya. not sure which works best for me. . btw is there any gatherings whereby you guys perform and learn from each other? would really love to participate and pick up new tips from you folks. .

Nemesistwin, you can check the "Events and Meetings" section for upcoming SMC gatherings.

just chk it out, magicdow has a upcoming magic event. is it suitable for newbies like me?

What Magicdow meant was lessons taught by a magician teaching only 1 trick/effect for $25.

On the other hand, props, dvds, effects, that cost $30 - $50 with only 1 trick or effect may be good or maybe bad. That one totally depends on the said item itself. Eg. I find Criss Angel's Coin In Soda DVD with only 1 effect worth it cause it's a good technique to me. To each his own. I find Jay Sankey's Hell Bent a total waste of my money. I bought that.

Different items need to be assessed differently.

What he and me meant is a convention organized by IBM on the 25 Oct.