How to cover it when your magic fail? What should i do?

It really depends on what kind of magic you are doing. First thing first, DO NOT PANIC.

Next thing, what are you performing? A save aka or an "out" normally can be done for card magic. If you mess up card magic, just have an invisible deck on standby to use it as an "out".

If it is really that bad, just say sorry sincerely. People will understand if its genuine.

Last but not least, the best preventive method is to practice, practice and practice.

Anyway, any particular magic that you want to mention that failed?

Actually this has been discussed before, maybe a small search can dig up the thread that provides the best ideas on how to exit from a failed act or routine.

Of course, like Mabas said, you can never panic, whether it is a technical fault or natural disaster, stay calm. Show that you are still in control.

Normally, for most routine, esp find a card routine, if it fails, you can jolly well say that today is not your day, and your magic power not enough. Or simply say, "you guys might be expecting me to find your card, but that is too easy, this is just a bluff to break the ice." Have a good laugh with the audience, and ask for the card, use the card, do an ambitious routine.

If an ambitious fail, just say that sometime the card can be naughty and don't do as your commands, search for the card, say there it is, then scold the card, hit the card a few times, and say you try again.

As you can see, there is alot of exit for any routine, its not about how good you can escape from any failed magic, but how calm you can handle situations. Even if your magic is successful, your magic might fail if you cannot handle your audience, the wow factor is not executed out well, etc.

But in short, as a magician that performs, you should never fail, that is your stand. Do more, practise hard and eventually you will be able to handle any situation knowing that you know your cards and technical inside out. :)

Larry

Well, if I really cannot salvage the situation, I will perform another trick.

Those tricks that will make you look as if you failed, but end with a surprise. Such tricks is more effective, as you already failed once.

Oh my. Even though this might be a repeated post, I think its good to put it up again!

Recently I failed really badly performing for magicians. It wasn't at all a pleasant experience and I felt bad. It wasn't one of those casual performances, so all the more guilt I had. I blame it on myself for not being prepared enough.

In the end, I tried to cover it up with obviously unrehearsed patter and it flew by for some. But the more experienced ones can probably tell that something went wrong.

I think many times we take it too hard. I wish I had a witty come back while fixing the problem. Magicians and laymen alike, especially after so much magic in the media, we all know that our effects are not exactly "REAL MAGIC". Especially sleighty effects. And I think the more important part with dealing with a failure is to not make it uncomfortable for our audiences. When you fail a trick, they don't know how to react.

If magic is for our audience, then all the more we should put aside our ego or pride and make fun out of it. That's what I think, and its probably a reminder for myself more than for others. ^_^

Personally, I have looked through most of my routines and even in the course of practising the routine itself, I would also practise the "failure" part. That to say, I have a fixed fall back upon should I really fail during a live performance of that particular routine.

Not sure if this is a common practice among other performers, but so far its been working it well for me in dire situations =)

just run away .....just jk

Reminds me of this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IRUV6UAYfs

I feel that magic went wrong will test how good your reaction is. As in how you going to cover the trick by some backup.Because I think some of the audience do not know that your magic fail so long as you don't give yourself out. But i still know that the first feeling is the best. However, sometimes things may not be how it turns out or what you expected.