Can’t we all just get along?

Examining natural divisions within the Magic community

Within the world of learning and performing magic, there are typically two camps:

In this corner, we see …..

(1) those who prefer and endorse SLIGHT-OF-HAND (SLIGHTS) above all else.  They insist that the magic community is a meritocracy; that anyone can learn slights from the written archives, earning their way to respect and admiration from their peers.

And in this corner, we see …..

(2) those who emphasize SUBTLETY, insisting that it’s just as good a slight-of-hand.  They preach the gospel of simplicity, proclaiming that if you don’t have to devote all of your energy to slights, then you can focus on presentation.

Both sides have pros and cons, as well as pitfalls that their supporters might overlook.

This discussion can perhaps best be looked at as all perspectives residing along a spectrum; and, like the ends of a spectrum, neither side is inherently right or wrong.

Both are simply different.

For an example, let’s delve into the realm of card magic.  On the “slights” side of the spectrum, we have a maneuver called the CLASSIC FORCE.  This force relies very much on physical dexterity, although there are definitely psychological aspects to it as well.  Ultimately, the magician needs to be able to control a card within the deck and then force that card into the participants hands at the correct time.

This technique requires constant practice to ensure that the hands can do what are needed whenever the performance may dictate.

For a comparable card example from the “subtlety” side, let’s look at the CRISSCROSS FORCE.  In this force, the magician doesn’t really even have to touch the deck as long as he can give clear instructions for the audience member to follow.

It relies completely on a participant’s belief that they themselves were able to cut the deck anywhere desired, only to arrive at a completely free selection.

Now, admittedly, these are somewhat simplistic, silly examples.  But on each end of the spectrum, and primarily focused around card magic, within the “slights” camp one might expect to find people advocating for learning control techniques, like the diagonal palm shift or second dealing.

Within the “subtlety” camp, one is likely to find things like gimmicks, discrepancies, and some deceptive procedures that may even fool the magician himself.

I thought it would be worthwhile to discuss the pros and cons of each side of this card spectrum, and look at some of the written resources that lean heavily into each approach.

SLIGHT OF HAND

In the “slights” camp, the pros are legion.  Once a slight has been mastered, it becomes a part of the magician, and is ready to go at a moment’s notice.  He is always ready with some cards (or coins or whatever it is that he performs with); eternally prepared to perform miracles because the magician’s hands have been trained to do his bidding and execute these secret maneuvers in a natural way.

The magician has learned that he’s capable of doing things that he never knew himself capable of doing.  Not only does he draw personal satisfaction, the magician is earning his place in the magic world by demonstrating his commitment to the craft.

However, “slights” aren’t all sunshine and roses.  There’s plenty of cons to go around this camp.  To start with, much more work is required for learning and mastering  many of the more complicated techniques, and a great deal of time is demanded in order for the magician to elevate his craft.  At the least, the cost will probably be to invest hours and hours of focused work.

And, to be honest, these drilled “slights” are not iron clad, sure-fire under pressure.  To be sure, nerves will calm and performances will improve as the magician experiences more and more repetitions, inherited within actual performance conditions.  The  adrenaline that makes the body shake during that “fight or flight”response gradually starts to ease.

Ultimately, the magician could be fooling no one except himself.  Everyone has seen the performer who executes his not-so-invisible invisible pass or flashes that tiny corner during a card palm.

For excellent reading resources aimed at mastering sleight-of-hand, start with the basics.  Something like a CARD COLLEGE, or less expensively with ROYAL ROAD TO CARD MAGIC.  These books are widely recognized as the definitive works on learning sleight-of-hand (with cards, at least).

Each performer should continually challenge himself through these texts.  Following this path will lead to other authors, creators and even an entire community who loves “slights”.  Many magicians find themselves pursuing increasingly complex books, such as DRAWING ROOM DECEPTIONS by Guy Hollingworth

SUBTLY

On the opposite end of the magic spectrum, there lies room for people who prefer “subtlety” to knuckle busting “slights”.  And who can blame them?  Many of these miracles are simple to learn, use and remember, and they can fool the sharpest minds of those who aren’t familiar with the principal at work.

The pros for the magician on this side of the spectrum includes not needing a lot of skill to pull off a true miracle.  However, on the flipside, the danger exists that, without care, the miracle may devolve into a tedious mathematical procedure, that fails to fool or entertain at all.

A real danger of becoming over-reliant on gimmicks, decks or stacks exists, as well.  This can cripple spontaneity and hobble the performer’s entertainment credentials while on the fly, as well as within the Magic community as a whole.

And just like the  “slight” camp, the magician might just be fooling himself into thinking that this is entertaining when it may be falling short.

For reading resources within the “subtlety” camp, author Nick Trost has a substantial number of books that don’t rely on heavy “sleight-of-hand” skills.  These works contain many effects with procedures that self-work, as does some of the writings of John Bannon (DESTINATION ZERO, for example).  Remember, some tricks don’t require a lot of work to be great tricks.

SO WHAT’S THE PROBLEM ?

Often, enthusiasts will pursue one camp over, possibly because they either want to stay comfortable and don’t want to be challenged, or they just like to try difficult things.  But, in my opinion, the best way for any of us to be (as within any spectrum) is aiming to land somewhere near the middle.

Obviously, there is nothing wrong with pursuing hard-core, sleight of hand, nor spending time learning alot of subtleties.  But I feel that neither method should be done to the exclusion of the other.  Each and every magician should study and examine what will best serves him and his style of performing.

In my opinion, every magician can best serve himself by learning some of the basics in “sleight of hand” so that he can handle props in such a way that he looks like a trained professional.  He should never stop challenging himself.

But while in that “slights” camp, the magician should also recognize that the odd gimmick, discrepancy or mathematical procedure may also serve to entertain.

….. and isn’t that the ultimate goal of magic ?!

Final thoughts….

At the end of the day, each magician must self-examine and decide what kind of performer he wants to be.  That decision should never be left to anyone else, and there should absolutely be no room for peer pressure, criticism, or bullying by outsiders.  Each performer needs to understand his own limitations and constraints, while refusing to be afraid to challenge and push himself to explore new areas of magic.

I think we’ll all be surprised with what we can accomplish by applying just a little bit of work.  And above all: let’s extend grace and kindness to each other.  The Magic community is such a wonderful community,  so welcoming all different skill levels in all different pursuits.

There’s so much that we, as entertainers and enthusiasts,  can learn from each other, and it starts with being more supportive of our fellow magicians, for more entertaining and miraculous outcomes for our audiences.

Now, stop all this bickering and get to work……

Cheers !!