Remembering Tricks and Routines
Hey there! I've only been at it for a couple of months (just retired, actually) practicing tricks, some moves, and routines that I'm constantly discovering on YouTube, where I follow some magicians. Honestly, I'm putting in several hours every day. Once I practice and feel like I've got a trick down with its corresponding move (or so I think, because it looks good to me), I see another one I like, and I start working on that too, and so on. I try to keep up with all the ones I'm learning, but then I hit a point where, even if I knew how to do it, I forget the steps, confusing them with another trick, or I forget how the setup was done (if it even has one), etc. Is it likely that I'm trying to bite off more than I can chew? Should I just keep repeating them, even if I think I've got them down? What can I do to remember everything? Sorry for the long post, I'm hoping for your wise advice. Thanks!
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Hey there, pal. What you're going through is totally normal; you're in that 'sponge' stage, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here's a tip that really helped me avoid hitting that wall: automate so you don't have to memorize.
Instead of treating every trick as a standalone list of steps, try this:
Standardize your techniques: Pick a go-to force (for example, always the same one) and use it across multiple effects. If you're consistently forcing the same card or using the same move, your brain will take over with muscle memory, freeing you from having to consciously recall the 'how'.
Create 'visual triggers': Associate specific cards with certain effects. When you see an Ace, let your brain automatically jump to the routine you perform with Aces. This way, you don't have to recall the entire effect; the card itself cues you on what to do next.
Focus on quality over quantity: It's better to have 3 routines you can perform blindfolded than 20 that leave you feeling uncertain during execution.
The whole point is for your brain to work on autopilot, so you can focus on enjoying yourself and connecting with your audience. Keep at it – it's a marathon, not a sprint!
Hey, I've only been at this for about three months, but my two cents is, don't get bogged down with a bunch of new tricks. Grab four or five that you really like and practice them until you don't have to think about the reset or the setup. You'll build skill and confidence before you even realize it. At least, that's what works for me.
Thanks for your response.
I do that, but since my spectators are family, I don't like to repeat effects for them, so I just move on to the next one. At least... I usually manage to fool them, especially one of my sons-in-law who's always trying to catch me, lol.
Hey there! My advice would be to jot them down in a notebook or record yourself doing them so you don't forget how it's done.