Hand shaking in magic.

Fin · 04-27-2012, 12:22 AM

Sounds like you've worked out the problem, and can control it, but you want to control it better. I would sit down and think hard about a few things.

1) Why do you get nervous in the first place. If it's because you feel tested then work out a way to get past that in your head. I would acknowledge it. Say to yourself "ok, this performance is slightly more testing because there are skilled magicians watching. Now, time to have some fun.". Sometimes just openly stating to oneself what the problem is can help one to move past it.

2) Get out of the habit! By this I mean UN-learn this habit you have taught yourself. You did it unknowingly but you have taught yourself to react this way. "I'll be more nervous for magicians than for laymen for reason x, y, and z."
Analyse WHY you think this way. What are x,y and z? And why are you chosing this type of reaction rather than, for instance, the way I react, which is as follows: I am completely the opposite to you. When I perform for magicians I am much more relaxed. This is because I personally feel that messing up a trick for a magician is not half as bad as messing one up for a layman. Because a magician knows half of the secrets anyway - seeing a flash during your pass is hardly going to send them into deep shock and floods of tears as they realise that magic isn't real. A layman however could be completely caught up in your magic, then spot a glaring error, and it could quite easily COMPLETELY ruin the entire experience for them. See, I'm thinking about what is happening in their heads. A magician will just realise I need more practise, whereas a layman will see a "secret" and the magic is completely ruined. What's worse?

3) Free yourself from the pressure of other people's opinions. I have nothing to prove to other magicians. I enjoy sharing, comparing, getting jealous of other magicians etc.. but as far as performing goes I think it's much more important to worry about what laymen think of you rather than what fellow magicians think. Magicians will be ultra picky about various things that laymen wouldn't care about one bit. Magicians will also often try to get you to do things "like I do" because they think their way is the best way. This is most often actually quite damaging for your magic. Originality, among artists, is often met with derision and ridicule. So, don't put too much emphasis on what other magicians think. You may already be way ahead of them!

04-27-2012, 12:22 AM	#3
Fin Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 530	Sounds like you've worked out the problem, and can control it, but you want to control it better. I would sit down and think hard about a few things. 1) Why do you get nervous in the first place. If it's because you feel tested then work out a way to get past that in your head. I would acknowledge it. Say to yourself "ok, this performance is slightly more testing because there are skilled magicians watching. Now, time to have some fun.". Sometimes just openly stating to oneself what the problem is can help one to move past it. 2) Get out of the habit! By this I mean UN-learn this habit you have taught yourself. You did it unknowingly but you have taught yourself to react this way. "I'll be more nervous for magicians than for laymen for reason x, y, and z." Analyse WHY you think this way. What are x,y and z? And why are you chosing this type of reaction rather than, for instance, the way I react, which is as follows: I am completely the opposite to you. When I perform for magicians I am much more relaxed. This is because I personally feel that messing up a trick for a magician is not half as bad as messing one up for a layman. Because a magician knows half of the secrets anyway - seeing a flash during your pass is hardly going to send them into deep shock and floods of tears as they realise that magic isn't real. A layman however could be completely caught up in your magic, then spot a glaring error, and it could quite easily COMPLETELY ruin the entire experience for them. See, I'm thinking about what is happening in their heads. A magician will just realise I need more practise, whereas a layman will see a "secret" and the magic is completely ruined. What's worse? 3) Free yourself from the pressure of other people's opinions. I have nothing to prove to other magicians. I enjoy sharing, comparing, getting jealous of other magicians etc.. but as far as performing goes I think it's much more important to worry about what laymen think of you rather than what fellow magicians think. Magicians will be ultra picky about various things that laymen wouldn't care about one bit. Magicians will also often try to get you to do things "like I do" because they think their way is the best way. This is most often actually quite damaging for your magic. Originality, among artists, is often met with derision and ridicule. So, don't put too much emphasis on what other magicians think. You may already be way ahead of them!