Anyone familiar with street magic?

Hey there!

Hope this blog post helps you out:

https://magiaycardistry.com/street-magic/

All the best!

Hey everyone.

Street magic, in general (and in my personal experience), is all about quick hits... which usually means an (unrestrained 😅) use of gimmicks and props.

Everything from a Thumb Tip (which is incredibly versatile) to invisible thread, or for cards, the classic Torn and Restored effect or card transpositions (card to pocket, or wherever you want). You can also do mentalism (though I don't really recommend it unless it's a super fast effect). The possibilities are endless!

At least for me, I perform any effect (they're usually quick) with a brief patter that at most lasts 5 minutes. Then I move on, leaving people wondering. And on to the next group!

Of course, everyone, with their own personality, has to adapt to what works best in the moment.

But unless you're setting up a stage in the middle of the street, or bringing your portable table and chair, you really shouldn't do overly "complicated" tricks or overly long sets.

But hey, this is just my opinion 😀

Cheers and happy magic!!!

The Ambitious Card (without dragging the routine out), or tricks with rubber bands, coins, sponge balls, etc., or other effects that don't require elaborate stories. For street magic, direct magic works best, and you should focus on making the presentation entertaining.

Hey Dani, thanks for responding!

Well, here's the thing: I'm really good at approaching people; I'm super social. So yeah, a couple of tricks and something psychological would be perfect to get started.

I've tried it with a table involved, and those reactions are just indescribable – that's why I do magic! But I'd really like not to depend on a table; I want to be more independent.

Not sure if you get what I mean.

@Banton:

You should ditch YouTube videos (no offense to anyone making a living from them) and read more books; reading helps you focus more on the routines, the effects, the philosophical and cognitive ideas behind the trick… etc.

My personal take is that I learn more from a well-explained 5-minute YouTube video than by reading any book.

I know not everyone is cut out to "put up with" others explaining things (especially if we think they're being overly cocky about it), but as I CONSTANTLY remind you, we each have our own learning method.

What doesn't work for one person might work for another.

What you don't like, I might absolutely love.

And what you think can only be done one way, I'll most likely do it another.

And that's just how the world works, as you well know.

@Boky:

You should ditch YouTube videos (sorry if that hits anyone's bottom line) and read more books. Reading helps you focus more on routines, effects, the philosophical and cognitive ideas behind the magic... etc.

I think that's a bit of a tactical misstep in what you're saying, at least these days and how things generally work.

Many folks who start with videos will eventually pick up a book, and vice-versa. The ultimate goal is to keep bringing magic to more and more people.

@Boky:

I guarantee that even with the simplest routine, like a Key Card effect, you can amaze the most skeptical audience. I can assure you that I spent 5 years always doing the same 3 simple tricks, and that made my magic evolve immensely.

This seems like a fantastic exercise to take your magic to the next level. Classic routines that stand the test of time in the audience's mind have that "repetition" as part of their evolution and timeless impact.

Classics become necessary, I'd even say essential, in a world of instant gratification.

What do you mean by 'street magic' expertise? Are you talking about types of effects, psychology, or some other kind of information?