Ready to ditch the dull practice sessions and actually get good at magic? This practical guide by Clemens Ilgner is just the ticket. It’s not your average how-to book; Ilgner draws on his classical music training (yes, that’s right, music and magic can mix!) and solid psychological studies to help you get your sleights and routines down to a fine art. If you want to rehearse smarter, boost your confidence, and make real progress, you’re in the right place. With years of experience in both music and magic under his belt, Ilgner shares his hard-earned wisdom and practical strategies.
What’s inside this treasure trove of tricks?
Practical Practice: Get ready to clarify and refine those tricky sleights through methodical repetition. Focus on focused sessions and learn to avoid the dreaded over-practising.
Thoughts on Daily Practice: Discover how to keep your concentration sharp, why short sessions beat long ones, and how to set up a killer practice space (yes, “cold practice” is a thing).
Rhythm: Find out why a shaky rhythm can ruin your secrets and how a metronome (thanks, music!) can help make your moves look seamless. Exercises included for the Second Deal and the Elmsley Count—because timing is everything.
Sponge Ball Vanish: Master the convincing false transfer—a gem by Rezvani and a favourite of Roy Benson—with rhythmic instructions that’ll have you performing like a pro in no time.
Passe Sponges (AKA "10"-Count): Get the lowdown on this classic sponge ball trick, focusing on that all-important fake transfer.
Coins: Sound matters in coin magic—learn how to use it to hide your actions and amplify the magic.
Visual Timing: Sync your gaze with your moves to make your vanishes and productions look downright impossible.
Click Pass: Dive into Gabi Pareras' clear take on this technique, using sound to fake coin transfers like a boss.
Four Coins to Glass: A routine that uses the sound of coins landing in a glass to really sell the magic of their journey.
Variations: Mix it up! Using different props or changing the tempo can lead to better learning outcomes and increased versatility. Includes variations on the Shuttle Pass.
Reduction: Break down complex sleights into bite-sized pieces before putting them back together. Get the scoop on “rotating attention,” as Gerhard Mantel puts it.
Wand Spin Vanish: Tackle this classic vanish by nailing the core move first, then adding the wand, and finally the spin. Easy peasy, right?
Chance Decides: Shake things up by practising random techniques—because why stick to what you know when you can challenge yourself?
Mental Skill Training: Visualise and relax with techniques like Progressive Muscle Relaxation to mentally rehearse actions and improve precision.
Performance Anxiety and Stage Fright: Transform those nerves into affirmations with exercises designed to help you feel confident on stage.
Tools, Tricks and Tips: A collection of handy aids for practice, including balance boards, the Pomodoro Technique, finger trainers, larger props, hand exerciser balls, mirrors, and more. Because who doesn’t love a good prop?
Video links are included to show off many of these techniques in action.
Foreword by Gene Anderson with an Introduction by Marc DeSouza.
This is the First English Edition - hardcover with dustjacket, 141 pages featuring full colour photos.
