Where Can I Learn Magic Tricks?
”A magician never shares their secrets.”
Nearly everyone has heard this phrase at some point in their life. Known as the “Magician’s Code,” this commitment to secrecy is often touted as the “#1 Rule of Magic.”
Yet, if this is true, how did Justin Willlman learn the magic tricks he performs on his Netflix show Magic For Humans. Or, for that matter, how did David Blaine, Dynamo or any professional magician learn how to perform magic tricks? The answer is simple, the resources to learn magic have always been available—you just have to know where to look.
If you're interested in card magic basics, prop bets, money magic, mentalism, card magic, sleight of hand, playing cards (we recommend Bicycle cards, or Zoom magic, we've got you. As the world's largest magic store, we can help you with everything from flash paper to magic books. From the latest magic tricks to the classics. And everything in between - even magic conventions! We'll show you the right way to learn magic tricks and how to learn card tricks.
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The Empty Safe
In his book Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear, magic inventor and historian Jim Steinmeyer made the now infamous claim that “Magicians guard an empty safe.” This quote references how, at their core, the method behind many magic tricks can often be underwhelming. He goes on to discuss how audiences might be disappointed to learn that “there are few secrets that [magicians] possess which are beyond a grade school science class, little technology more complex than a rubber band, a square of black fabric or a length of thread.”
So, if this is the case, why have the secrets of magic been so closely guarded for centuries?
Learning Magic vs. Exposure
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In reality, magicians love discussing magic tricks and there is a lifetime of books, DVDs and downloads available to anyone who wants to learn magic. Every year, at our Magifest magic convention, you’ll find 100s of magicians gathered until the wee hours of the morning sharing secrets, tips and magic effects.
Yet, it’s important to note that magicians only like to share this secret information with those who show a legitimate interest in studying or performing magic. The aforementioned “Magician’s Code” is really only relevant when conversing with individuals who view magic as a puzzle and only want to know the “answer” to how it was performed. This is the key difference between learning magic and exposure.
How Exposing Magic Secrets Hurts Magic
Exposure is far from a new concept in magic. Houdini actually dedicated a chunk of his life to traveling the world and exposing the methods behind the magic tricks spiritualists were using to fool audiences into believing they had supernatural powers. However, with TV shows like the controversial Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed and the meteoric rise of YouTube, exposure in magic is more prevalent than ever. Countless professional magicians from David Blaine to Michael Carbonaro and America’s Got Talent Winner Shin Lim have had their magic acts dissected and exposed on YouTube.
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The problem with exposing the inner workings of a magic trick to a public audience is that it does nothing to push the art of magic forward. It simplifies magic down to nothing more than a linear method, completely disregarding all of the other crucial elements that go into making magic such an exciting and unique form of entertainment.
While some might argue that exposing magic can increase interest in magic, the comments section of a magic exposure video tend to say otherwise - often labeling magic as “stupid” or some other derogatory term.
But, if you’re reading this article because you’re interested in learning how to perform magic tricks, then we’re happy to inform you that there are a ton of places for you to learn magic tricks!
Why You Should Learn Magic Tricks
Magic is an amazing hobby or career that allows you to be the life and soul of any party. Even the easiest magic tricks offer you a remarkably unique way to provide memorable experiences and make special connections with everyone you meet.
…It’s also just a ton of fun to learn and perform magic for your friends!
Photo Credit: Ari Isenberg
Where to Learn Magic Tricks
The Library
Believe it or not, your local library is the best starting point for learning magic. It can be a treasure trove of information for beginner magicians. Many libraries have phenomenal beginner magic books such as Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic, Magic for Dummies, The Idiot’s Guide to Street Magic and, even our very own Joshua Jay’s MAGIC: The Complete Course.
The types of magic books found at libraries often feature a variety of easy magic tricks to learn for all skill levels from card tricks, to coin tricks, rope tricks, sleight of hand, spoon bending and much more.
Looking for Magic Books in your Library?
Most magic trick books can be found in section 793.8 of your library. This is the Dewey Decimal categorization for any books pertaining to magic tricks, card tricks and juggling.
Magic Shops
If you live in, or near, a major city, do a quick search to see if there is a brick & mortar magic shop near you. In addition to offering a variety of magic tricks for all skills levels including beginner magic kits with simple tricks to decks of cards and other magic props, these shops offer you an amazing opportunity to personally connect with other magicians. You can watch a magic effect be performed before you buy it and even get recommendations on certain easy magic tricks to learn. Additionally, many magic shops offer special magic lectures and regular meetups with local magicians.
As the amount of information available to a beginner can be overwhelming, magic shops are also a fantastic place to meet other professional magicians that can potentially help mentor your magic journey. You can also meet other magicians by attending a meeting for your local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians or Society of American Magicians.
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Online Magic Retailers
While the number of magic shops has dwindled significantly in recent years, there are still a bunch of great ones worth visiting like the famous Tannen’s Magic Shop in New York City. However, if you can’t get to a magic shop—don’t worry! That’s what we're here for.
At Vanishing Inc., we serve a variety of magicians and mentalists around the globe from beginner magicians to working professionals. We have anything you need to start learning magic from playing cards to props to books and DVDs covering close-up magic, parlor magic, stage magic, mentalism and much more.
While our shipping is lightning fast, we know you came here to figure out how you can start learning magic immediately.
Here’s the best part...you can!
Start Learning Magic Today
In addition to our physical magic items, we have an vast library of 1000’s of affordable online magic video downloads and ebooks. With just a few clicks, you can start learning magic immediately, anywhere at anytime.
You can also always contact us via email or our live chat for further suggestions on the best beginner magic tricks.
