NEW TO MAGIC

There are many ways to learn magic, from a book from the library, magic set at Christmas, or YouTube tutorials.
Joining a magic club can really help and insire you to become the best you can be.

The Best Ways to Learn Magic

Learning magic is like stepping into a world full of wonder and mystery. Whether you're interested in performing sleight of hand at parties, stunning friends with mind-boggling tricks, exploring the art for fun, or even wanting to become a professional magician and earn a living from this wonderful art, there’s a huge community of magicians and resources out there to help you learn. So, let’s dive into the best ways to get started on your magical journey.

1. Start with the Basics: Books and Guides

Books are timeless when it comes to learning magic. They offer in-depth explanations, step-by-step guides, and tips that can lay a strong foundation for your magic skills. (Some of the links below are Amazon affliate links).

"The Royal Road to Card Magic" by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue: This is a classic for anyone wanting to get into card magic. It’s one of the most highly recommended books for beginners, offering clear instructions on various techniques.
"Magic for Dummies" by David Pogue: Don’t let the title fool you; this is a great starting point. It covers a wide range of magic tricks and techniques, from card tricks to mind reading, with an approachable tone.
"Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic" by Mark Wilson: Over 500 pages of every style of magic, close-up to stage illusions, every magician has this in their library.
by Karl Fulves: Don't be put off by the title, Karl Fulves' books feature all you need to know. This book focuses on mentalisim.

"Self-working Card Tricks" by Karl Fulves: A second book focusing on card magic, once you have read the Royal Road expand on your repotar with this.
"Self-working Coin Magic" by Karl Fulves: For those of you wanting some coin magic, this wil teach you the basics, the great thing with coin magic it's true EDC.

2. Take Online Courses & Tutorials

If you’re someone who prefers to learn visually, online courses and video tutorials are perfect. They break down tricks and techniques in real-time, making them easier to follow. Here are a few options to check out:

MasterClass – Penn & Teller Teach the Art of Magic: Want to learn from two of the biggest names in magic? Penn and Teller offer a fantastic course that covers everything from basic sleight of hand to creating a full performance.
YouTube Channels: YouTube is a treasure trove of free magic lessons! Here are some channels to get you started:

Chris Ramsay: He’s got an entertaining and informative channel full of card tricks, puzzles, and sleight-of-hand tutorials.
Alex Pandrea: Specializing in card tricks and sleight-of-hand, Alex breaks down various techniques in an easy-to-follow manner.
Steve Faulkner's Online Magic: More than 500 tutorials, and more each month.
Alakzam Unlimited: Over 150 tricks by more than 40 creators coving all sorts of magic.

3. Join Magic Forums and Communities

Magic is all about practice, but it’s also about learning from others. Online communities and forums are great places to connect with other magicians, ask questions, and get feedback on your tricks.

Magic Week: A weekly round up of all the best magic news.
The Magic Café: This is one of the largest online forums dedicated to magic. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, you’ll find tips, reviews, and discussions about the latest tricks and techniques. Or even if you just want an arguement, the site discussion can get a little heated at times.
Reddit Magic Community: The r/magic subreddit is full of magic enthusiasts sharing their tricks, experiences, and tips. It’s a great way to stay updated on magic news and find beginner-friendly resources.

4. Get the Right Tools and Props

While many magic tricks can be done with everyday objects (like coins, cards, or a handkerchief), having the right tools can elevate your performance. Some essential props include:

A deck of quality playing cards: A good deck of cards is essential for learning card tricks. Bicycle cards are a classic choice, but there are many others out there designed for sleight of hand.
Magic kits for beginners: If you prefer a ready-made option, magic kits are a great way to start. These kits usually come with a variety of props and instructional DVDs.

Once you have the basics sorted and you want to buy some professional grade magic effect, the following shops are a great place to start (in no particular order):

Alakazam create many of their own effects and carry a huge range.
Monster Magic is a small friendly shop whose delivery is super speedy, Alex is amazingly helpful.
Saturn Magic carry a massive range and create a few of their own effects too.
Vanishing Inc based in both the UK & US they are a fanastic producer of magic books as wll as having a huge range of other people effects.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice

Learning magic is all about repetition and muscle memory. Whether you’re practicing card manipulations or coin tricks, take the time to repeat the moves until they feel natural. And don't forget to practice in front of a mirror! Watching your movements in real time can help you see what works and what doesn’t.

6. Perform for Others

Once you’ve learned a few tricks, it’s time to show them off! Performing for friends and family is a great way to build confidence. Don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up to larger performances. Performing at a magic club will also help you gain confidence you will also get great constructive feedback to aid your improvement.

7. Stay Inspired

One of the best ways to keep your magic journey going is to stay inspired. Watch performances from world-renowned magicians like Dynamo, or Derren Brown to learn new techniques and be amazed by their creativity.

Derren Brown’s Magic Channel: Catch all the amazing moments of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection & showmanship!.
Dynamo's YouTube Channel: Dynamo, the street magician, often posts clips of his performances and special magic moments.

8. Magic Conventions

There are some amzing magic conventions in the UK each year, you could see some BGT stars or Vegas acts up close.

Blackpool Magic Convention: We are lucky in the UK to have the world's biggest magic convention held in Blackpool each year, it's held in February and has many thousands of attendees.
The Session: Vanishing Inc runs this convention in January each year, it focuses on close-up magic.
IBM: The International Brotherhood of Magicians holds their convention in a different location each year, usually in September, it's been in Eastbourne many times.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a magician takes time, patience, and practice. The beauty of magic is that you can start small and gradually build up your skills. Whether you’re learning from books, online tutorials, or by joining a magic community, there are endless ways to improve. The key is to stay curious and keep practicing, and before you know it, you’ll be performing magic like a pro.

Happy performing, and remember – the real magic is in the experience, not just the trick!