Magic Question - How Do You Build a Magic Routine? 

David this session best one yet because it's not only gives us l guidance but also helps us think ourselves through. Thank you

Regarding openers: One of my favorites is "Appearing Glass" by Steve Thompson. It's easy to simply say I'm thirsty, and when someone offers to get me a cup of water, I tell them, "That's okay, I have this empty paper bag, and I'm a magician..." When I pull a glass of water out of the bag, and DRINK some of the water, then the hook is set...

In my small town, I get repeat parlor-sized shows, and I would like to present fresh things to repeat audiences. I keep a spreadsheet that has my set-lists from every such show. It makes it harder to craft the story, but has the benefit of fewer repeat tricks. Thank you for the advice about story; I will try to incorporate your wise thoughts on this.

Appreciate that you uploaded this right when I'm putting sets together for corporate events I've got coming up. Always find your perspective super helpful! Thanks for all you do

I have been trying to build routine and can't focus. Till now. You've helped me a lot.

“can you show me a trick?” always leads to a second trick. “storytelling” is presentation … it can be more important than the trick …. Great advice David 👍👍 Thanks for sharing

A couple great resources….”Building an Act” by Tommy Wonder and “To Lure With Spectacle” by Jimmy Talksalot. Both available in PDF. Thanks David!

I'm late to the party again on a year old video, but to kinda state the obvious... Look at *this video.* He's not winging it. He's not making it up as he goes along. He didn't pull these ideas out of nowhere on the fly, and those book recommendations weren't ad-libbed. He very clearly started at the beginning, knowing exactly where he was headed, and he put all of the information he wanted you to have in the middle, being as concise and to the point as possible. Model your routine around this video - not just the advice he's giving you (which is absolutely golden), but the actual format of the video itself. 🤷‍♂️✌️

Muggle here, about 1 month in. Loving the content.

This is one of the best advice videos I have seen in a long time. Practical and immediately useful. Kudos.

You’re right - a magic performance should be a story, a journey you take with the spectator. We, as magicians, should move away from the idea of doing “tricks” to “fool” the audience. This is the concept that naturally offends your viewers. But if you are taking a journey together, then it’s an experience, an entertainment. This is why the “magician in trouble” model for children’s shows works so well. You do not appear to be trying to “fool” or embarrass your spectator; you yourself are sinking in an unexpected way and it puts the audience on your side! As with all entertainment, and sales, positions, the first thing you need to sell is YOURSELF! Thanks again for a great video!

I think this was not so much Reviewer David and more Teacher David today. Both are very welcome!

this is exactly the video i needeed right now. cheers david x

Awesome information! Thanks Uncle David!!!

Also the Fitzkee trilogy Is indispensable for those learning how to build a routine, act, or even invent magic.

Great topic and thoughts, as always. "Script EVERYTHING" and practice your script. This is so vital and it should be obvious, but many try to just talk their way around the execution of the method. I would add that your script (words and motions) should feel like it's happening for the first time and it's personal. I watch a lot of high caliber performers on TV and presenters on shows like "Shark Tank"... even folks that I encounter in public life that should be well versed in communication (public figures, politicians, teachers, etc.). So many of them are well polished on their "Script", but I don't believe a single word or movement that they are throwing out. I recommend telling a true story on video of something that you have experienced. Do it with enthusiasm, like a witness to a major event. Analyze your speech, inflections, emotions and mannerisms. Then practice making every "Script" sound and look like that. Make colloquial mannerisms concrete parts of the script, and practice them.

Thank you so much for making these MAGIC QUESTION videos! These videos are magical gold! You give advice that is uniquely yours and very practical. We really appreciate it!

A great performer shows a little a bit of everything in his routine. Storytelling, dexterity, humor, mystique, tease and even a bit of danger for those with a bit more risk. This can all be accomplished in a 10 minute routine or an hour. The key is balance -Too much is overkill and too little is forgettable. And as always leave them wanting more. Great topic David

Thanks for thoses advices ! Pretty logic.I always tought that it was ok to go like this : lowest to highest tricks..!But its logical..Diversity is always the key yeah of course ! Lol : take with you whats fitting on you naturally ! Always go for thoses things and build on thoses things !

Over my 53 year career as a professional magician, no one said it better than Harlan Tarbell. “Open, close, and try to be interesting in the middle.

Awesome advice! There nothing more humbling than bombing Thx MrD

At bar, around the table, I do a few quick effects, but it’s too rowdy to get into a routine

I totally agree with David! Thanks for sharing 🎉

This year, I am seriously looking into resteraunt walk around magic. I've been doing a ton of research and crafting my skills. I must say, your videos on the subject have given me some great ideas and help. Not to mention encouragement. Thank you so very much for taking the time to cover aspects of the subject. You rock my brother!!

Good topic David. When I first got started, I was using the Michael Ammar "Easy to Master Card Miracles" (on VHS which shows my age a bit!) He showed card effects, usually in sets of two or three and they built on each other. I have always followed that formula in most of my magic. Another great book source is the "Fitzkee Trilogy" set. Thanks for your reviews, keep up the good work.

Thank you so much this really helped

Great advice David....For me before I go out the door, I check my tricks are Set-up properly, nothing worse than failure during your performance.

Eugene Burger has great advice in his work on scripting & giving magic tricks context beyond just doing tricks> I love this channel keep up the great work!!!

THANK YOU!

Beautiful!! Awesome video!! I would also encourage individuals to find opportunities in their day to day where they can present information. If you work in an office and there is a meeting coming up, volunteer to go over the spreadsheet. Put together a PowerPoint. You might not be focusing on magic (you may even be able to work in some magic) but you will become familiar with the performance aspect. If a special event is coming up prepare a speech. Visit a local improv or acting group and step outside your comfort zone. Take public speaking courses. Some colleges and after school programs allow you to preview classes for free if you aren't looking to get credits or have reduced prices for auditing. Just a few ways to start honing those katanas before you need to use them for real.

My 3 I’ve been doing lately Opener: Gregory Wilson’s revolution Middle: Signed Ambitious Card (Alex Pandrea Method) End: Christian Grace Level one cell phone trick with the previously signed card They flow into each other fairly nicely 😅😂👍🏾👍🏾

Great video!

Wonderful brilliant advice David 👍👍👍👍

Very nice recommendations! Presentation and routine preparation are, sometimes, more important than the methods itself!

I'm pretty sure you're a psychic, because I just got on RU-vid specifically to look at tips for building a routine. Thanks David!

This was great. I have nothing to add but I'd love to see a list of best openers, either cards, mentalism, or other. Thanks David happy new year!

Perfect. I don't think it could be explained any better. When is your book coming out? Thanks David, for all you do.

Hey David. Great video. I've been lurking a bit and checking out your vids and have to share I find your vids very well done and seriously engaging. Given what I've seen thus far I would say you're a steward of magic itself as well as a great coach for magicians at various stages of proficiency. One of my biggest questions that I have amd suspect many others do as well in line with this vid is how you transition from one trick to another..I see it would vary based on the tricks but you could probably do a series of vids on examples based on the types of tricks. How you go clean, dump your utility device, TT, or whatever to the next without drawing attention to what your doing with your hands. Jim

Great video. Thank you for sharing this tips.

What would be an example that you like that follows those guidelines with 3 card tricks?!

You build a magic routine by doing one trick, then another, then another, till you stop.

David, do you or any of our friends here have any suggestions for a decent lavalier microphone that you/they like? I did a gig recently and the space was larger and more open than I was originally told, so I had volume issues and even though I've done theatre trying to project that much for a couple hours was hard... hence the microphone... thanks in advance.

I think for starting the best solution if somebody buy whole routines.

My concern is that mentalists should try to reveal the information, printed anywhere like on a t-shirt or on anything at least for one act

Obrigado 🔝🔝🔝🔝

Your only as good as your last show