So, You Wanna Learn How To Do Some Magic…
Magic is a great hobby. It’s a good way to meet people. It’s a great ice-breaker. It increases confidence. It improves hand/eye coordination. It stimulates creativity. And most of all, it’s just plain fun. If you’re interesting in learning magic, here is some advice about how to go about it.
1. Meet other magicians.
It’s very hard to learn on your own or improve in a vacuum. Magician friends can teach you, offer guidance and constructive criticism, and act as a friendly audience when you’re working on new tricks. But how do you meet other magicians? See steps 2, 3, and 4.
2. Visit a local magic store.
A quick Google search will tell you if there is one in your area. You’ll not only meet other magicians who frequent the shop, the people who work there can recommend the kinds of tricks and resources that align with your specific interests. They can also tell you if there are any magic clubs in your area…
3. Join a magic club.
Almost every city of any size has a magic club of some sort. Sometimes they are informal monthly gathering at the backs of restaurants. Sometimes they are local chapters of national or international organizations…
4. Join a magic organization.
The biggest ones are The International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians. Check online to see if either of them has a branch near you.
5. Take a magic class.
Colleges, Universities, and Learning Annexes often have magic classes. Check your local listings.
6. Take private lessons.
An inquiry at the local magic store can usually put you in touch with magicians who give private lessons.
7. Buy some books.
Books are one of your best resources for learning magic. To get you started we recommend Card College by Roberto Giobbi, Magic for Dummies by David Pogue, The Magic Book by Harry Lorayne, and Magic: The Complete Course by Joshua Jay. We actually don’t recommend you rely on YouTube videos. Too many YouTube magicians are just beginners themselves and the information they dispense is inadequate. Also, a video instructor can’t evaluate your performance or offer you feedback.
That’s enough information to get you started, but be warned, once the bug bites, you’ll be hooked for life.