So how does one become a top-class magician? If you are a beginner in magic, here is some helpful advice from The Illusionist that will help you get started in your amazing journey in magic! 

1. Online Magic Forums & Resources – A Wealth of Resource!

A useful source of magic information can be found via the Internet. Reliable Internet forums on magic have thousands of magicians and hobbyists online, and are a fantastic source of a wealth of available material. You will find discussions, advice and more on the various topics talked about. To participate, all you need is to sign up with them and it’s free. Just remember to read their rules, mind your etiquette and be nice!

About Magic is a fantastic resource with many articles, tricks and info to get you started. It is excellent as an introduction into magic!

The Magic Café is the world’s largest magic forums with categories for just about every aspect of magic. It is an amazing magic treasure trove!

2. Learning from Other Magicians

Locate your local magic club, such as the local International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) Ring or Assembly of the Society of American Magicians. Do a web search to see if there are any local magic clubs in your area. Most clubs are regular monthly meetings and you can interact and learn from members.

You can also look for local professionals and see if they are willing to impart some magic knowledge to you. They may do so either for a fee or in kind. A good way is to offer to help them out for their show and in return, learn from keen observation, ‘on the job’.

Importantly, please be careful of ‘magicians’ who claim that they can teach but have little credible experience or a solid performing portfolio. The teacher must preferably be a true performer, one who has done magic to impress a genuine crowd or audience before (patrons of your local magic shop don’t count!).

Stay clear from magicians who try to give magic ‘tuition’ lessons for a fee, but do not actually perform. This is simply because, if they are teaching you how to perform magic but make more money giving magic tuition than performing, that is something to think about. More likely than not, they are just guys who know some skills and are trying to make a quick buck off you. Sadly, you will not be able to learn the right principles, techniques and philosophy of magic from them. As a wise man once said… Chose your master wisely!

3. Build Your Magic Knowledge & Repertoire from your favourite Magic Shop – DVDs, Books, Tricks & more

What is a magician without his or her arsenal of tricks? Many well-known veteran magicians and reputable professionals have contributed much of their knowledge of magic in the form of videos and DVDs; books and lecture notes; even producing their own original effects and illusions. You can conveniently make your purchases of these niche learning materials from any good magic shop.

It is highly recommended that you stay away from places that engage in piracy. This is simply because these shops have no integrity, are unethical and dishonest and have no genuine love for the art. You will not be getting your money’s worth and the deprived creators of the tricks that these petty profiteers rip off, would unfortunately never receive their due credit and payment for the amazing effects they took time and effort to come up with.

So please seriously think twice before learning ‘tricks’ and effects on a ‘per trick’ basis from magic shops or ‘magic tutors’. This is not an ethical practice and besides, you honestly get much more value for your money if you buy a book or a DVD!

Magic is an amazing art and it is fantastic that you’ve decided to be a part of the magic circle. Now, don’t forget to honour the Magician’s Code!

Wishing you much fun in your journey in Magic.

The Illusionist