Magic has many definitions, and the one that this forum is structured upon can be best described as a performance art.

It shares and often overlaps with many similar elements other forms of performance arts. This parellel co-existence has one exceptional factor embedded firmly in the core of conjuring: The techniques must be kept a secret. In fact, so much emphasis is put into this particular doctrine that the entire existence of the art we hold so dear depends unconditionally upon it.

A spectator who isn't a magician staying on the sidelines and watching the performances...everyone has been through this route before. When we were the audience at that time, we can't help that tinge of curiosity swelling within our inner-most logic, struggling to made sense of apparent impossibility.

This inner struggle is what pushes us over the edge and jump into the cascading waterfall of boundless possibilities and knowledge. It is at this point of time where curiosity overcomes self-restraint and we make the decision to pay tutelage to the performance art of magic.

If you are a non-magician with such a mentality, or you magicians know someone who wants to take up magic, this article is for you. Do take your time to thoroughly contemplate before you jump into this fraternity.

Magic, like all other forms of performance art, requires a long-term commitment dedicated to patient learning and constant practice. Excellent skills are forged over the years, not over a couple of hours. Magic is not like studying for your algebra exam. Knowledge alone isn't sufficient to transform you into a magician. Real-time experience is required in order to excel. Remember that it's an art. Other than constructive ability and good knowledge, you'll need creativity.

The reason why I mentioned all this is to remind you of its realities and complexities. Every magician starts their first magic trick because of curiosity; the curiosity feeds the desire for knowledge. And unfortunately, this knowledge isn't that easily accessible due to the cloak of secrecy stubbornly wrapped around magic . That only feeds the desire even more. Eventually, the decision to start practising magic seeps in...so ask yourself these questions before you start:

1. Am I ready to commit time to learn?
2. Am I patient enough to hold back on performing to non-magicians until I had enough practice?
3. Other than towards the other practioners of the art, will I be able to keep the things I've learned a secret ?
4. Am I REALLY interested in performing the art, or am I just interested in studying magic just to satisfy my inner curiosities?

If your answer to questions 1,2 and 3 is "yes" and the answer to 4 is "I'm interested in performing the art," welcome aboard. If you have ANY other answer at all, please do reconsider your decision to start, because it will put this art in grave danger.

If you aren't committed to learn, or are too impatient to hold back on performing before enough practice, and can't seem to keep a lid over your knowledge and techniques, you're simply pumping cyanide right into the very heart of magic because it's as good as giving your secrets away to the general public. If you consider yourself a magician but can't be bothered to follow the principles in questions 1 to 3, please spare a thought for the others who fought hard to follow them. Think about all those professional magicians who first gave you your "tinge of curiosity." It wouldn't have happened if these principles weren't followed.

The most seemingly subtle but ironically the most dangerous kind of mentality to approach magic belongs to people who start learning magic based on the wrong reason as stated on question 4. Subtle because no one really questions the intentions of someone who wants to learn magic. Dangerous because people who belong to this category are the most likely to commit the wrongdoings cited in questions 1,2 and 3. Entering magic because of the wrong reasons is like bringing a nun into a brothel. Nothing good is ever going to come out of it until all the prostitutes have decided to become nuns.

If you changed your mind on starting magic because this article struck a chord in you, I sincerely thank you for respecting the art as it should be. The art of magic is dwindling, and time and again the leaders in this fraternity has fought tooth and nail to preserve its faint and ebbing aura from fading into oblivion. You have helped preserve a once respected but now neglected artistic entity.

Don't worry about feeding the curiosity though. It's better off enjoying a performance without knowing how it's done rather than let the unwarranted knowledge hamper the pleasure you may potentially derive from watching a magician strut his stuff.

In this peculiar form of entertainment, ignorance is indeed bliss :)

Wooo ~ Nice article man, if this is on the article for the competition, i will give you the vote man and i believe others will too.

Good one.

This one is going to be one of the staple articles in the FAQ or frontpage article when i finally get around to building up our own server and webspace. B)

Keep them coming Moondust. B)

Thanks guys :D

Actually, it isn't tough to come up with this article. The contents were what I told my younger brother before I taught him his first trick...

...Plus, I'm in a philosophical mood today. Just had a long meeting with my boss! :lol:

Dude, your article was excellent! I wasn't in time to vote, but for all it's worth, congrats for winning the competition :)

yeah.. it was EXACTLY what you told me.. you kept emphasize on the curiosity part. What a long and great article. THUMBS UP!! :lol:

Wao moondust article all so chim one hahahaha... :P

Thanks bro, but NO, I'm NOT changing my mind. You still have to come up with your own routine! :lol:

No choice lah. I eat potato big! :lol:

orh. den i eat potato small. so no need come up with my own routine.. :lol:

Have it your way. You'll regret it. Trust me. :D

very sweettt............. ;)

chill la bro.. be humourous la.. jk onli ma.. :lol:

Thanks, my man :D

Get your routine done by Friday, THEN I'll chill.

wao so strict hahahahah.. you are dead meat Xtreme.. :P

He's had it coming. Anyway, you're gonna be his judge, so let's see how he does. i'll keep my mouth shut :lol:

I'll bring my close-up mat. I've been talking so much about my Ultimate Jazz Aces that you haven't had the chance to see it yet. I'm still working on a few final details on this routine, so when I finally get it down, I'll show you and I'll need you to give me your invaluable advice as well.

Of course, that can only be done if my job schedule permits. Let you know again as soon as I can squeeze out some time bro.

Thanx again! :D

that means you want me to combine everything you taught me right? shuffles , cuts?

yeah.. i know i am dead meat.. cant even do DLs cleanly.. :lol:

Bro...what happened to you man??? *slaps forehead* Of course you don't have to use everything that I taught you. Just use those that you are comfortable with for you to formulate a routine you're comfortable with. Along the way, if you have learned something new yourself, of course you can use them to your advantage.

Meanwhile, in order to prove that I'm not just shooting my mouth off, I will come up with my own routine to prove to you that all you need is a liitle knowledge and ample creativity. Now, it wouldn't be fair to use techniques that you haven't learnt yet, so the routine that I created for you to see will only be restricted to what I have taught you so far.

Any questions?

LOL!!
i trying la bro.. hey.... i dun really understand the term of "routine".. LOL.. :lol: tell me more lei.....

A routine is an entire card trick consisting of different moves, like take for instance Paul Harris' Invisible Palm. You saw that one before right? Ok, that's a routine.

You saw my Ultimate Jazz Aces? Comprises many different moves right? That's a routine.

You saw me practise my Blank Ambition right? Now that's a routine.

You saw me re-enact Brad Christian's version of the Dream of Aces and his Four Aces trick right? That's a routine.

If you're going to come up to me, predict a card then immediately force the card on me, that's not a routine.

If you're going to come up and show me how a riffle shuffle is done, that's not a routine.

If you're going to show me how a DL is done, that's not a routine.

Just pretend that you'll have to perform and mesmerize your audience for let's say...3-4 minutes with your cards (the time-frame's just a guideline, feel free to adjust it to the length you want but try not to go under 2 minutes or it'll be too short).

You make your performance, you make your rules. Just make them good.

Ciao.

ok. i think i know what to do....... :) hehee..... i go try now... :lol: lets hope i can produce smtnk on fridae!!