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Writer's pictureRyan Joyce
Mar 21, 202212 min read

12 Essential Tools To Transform You Into A Magician

Updated: Dec 26, 2023

Discover the secrets behind a magician's craft with our guide to essential tools. Unveil the mystery items that transform the ordinary into the extraordinary in magic


a magicians table with playing cards, top hat, magic wands, scissors, silks, rabbit, dove, candles, handkerchief and more
In this post we'll cover 12 essential tools every magician needs

 

Essential Tools for Magicians

Do you want to learn magic?

Do you want to impress your friends, family, and coworkers? That's awesome. Magic is such a fantastic hobby with so many benefits!

Learning magic is like stepping into a new world. You can become the center of attention at parties and social gatherings.

There are all kinds of magic out there that you could learn from. From the massive number of videos on YouTube to books, podcasts, and total strangers at your local Magic Shop, here are some of my personal favorites.

Here Are 12 Resources For Learning The Art Of Magic


Plus:


magician's cups and balls with the words "12 Essential Tools to Learn Magic"
Here are 12 Essential Tools for Magicians Learning the Art of Magic

Magic is one of the oldest professions in the world, going back thousands of years.


That doesn't mean it's boring!


I've put years into my craft - learning from books, mentors and lots of practice at home. Magic is such a terrific hobby!


There is no slowing down once you start down the "learning magic" path.

If you're looking for a fun hobby, look no further than magic!


Magic is one of the most impressive skills you can learn. It can open up your career to being a professional magician, increase your confidence, and impress your friends.


In fact, learning magic has helped me in my professional life, and I've found it to be a great hobby.


So, what are the essential tools for becoming a magician?


Well, let's take a look!


 

YouTube

This one is a no-brainer.


There are tons of magic tutorials on Youtube! If it's something you want to learn, chances are someone has posted a video about it.


a beginner magician in a living room watching Youtube and learning magic tricks
Learn magic tricks on YouTube


It's also a great place to find inspiration for your own magical journey.


You can watch hours of free magic on YouTube. Be warned, though, not all tutorials are created equal.


You'll find tons of videos on this platform great for beginners who want to learn magic. The best part is, they're completely free!


Popular Channels To Learn Magic



Popular Magicians on YouTube



 

Magic Books


Magic books are one of the most effective ways to learn magic theory and specific tricks.


There's no substitute for reading up on the subject.



a magic book on a table filled with books and magic symbols bursting from the book
Magic books are one of the best resources for learning magic tricks


It can give you fresh ideas or help you refine an existing trick that isn't quite working yet.


There are so many out there, and they cover everything from a brief history of magicians to advanced sleight of hand techniques.


I highly recommend Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic for beginners if you are just getting started.


It's an excellent book for beginner magicians.


In addition to books specifically about magic, I recommend reading up on psychology, acting, public speaking and writing as well—all these skills will help make your magic even better!


Here are some magic books I highly recommend for beginners:


  • Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic by Mark Wilson

  • Tarbell Course in Magic by Dr. Harlan Tarbell

  • Self-Working Card Tricks by Karl Fulves

  • Royal Road to Card Magic by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braué

  • Expert Card Technique by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braué

  • Modern Coin Magic Paperback – Illustrated by J. B. Bobo

  • The Complete Idiot's Guide to Magic Tricks by Tom Ogden

  • Magic for Dummies by David Pogue


Tarbell Course in Magic: The Complete 8 Volume Set by Harlan Tarbell is considered the magic Bible. It's a comprehensive course on learning magic and is very well organized.


The author breaks down each trick into easy-to-follow steps and adds plenty of tips for making your tricks really pop.


Of course, it's also super expensive to buy all eight volumes at once, so you might want to find one or two that interest you and start there.


Royal Road to Card Magic by Jean Hugard is another classic book about card tricks.


It teaches beginners how to perform over 250 tricks using regular playing cards.


This book teaches basic sleight of hand techniques like shuffling and dealing cards to advanced card sleights and techniques.


You'll also learn how to control certain cards while making it look like pure magic.


 

Mentors


If possible, find someone who has been practicing magic longer than you have and ask them questions whenever possible.



a young magician and his mentor with playing cards flying in the air and magic books all around
Find a mentor in your community to teach the art of magic


This is especially important in areas where YouTube might not have enough detail (like when it comes to sleight-of-hand work).


Having a mentor is one of the best ways to learn magic, as they can easily show you what works and what doesn't.


It's always nice to have another set of eyes when learning something new!


In a perfect world, every magician would be born with an old man in a top hat by their side. But finding a mentor in the real world isn't as easy as in Harry Potter.


So, where do you start?


First, figure out what kind of magician you want to be. Do you want to perform close-up magic or stage magic? Do you want to specialize in card tricks or maybe grand illusions? Perhaps you don't even know yet—that's okay.


Are you passionate about learning the art of magic?


You're not alone.


But once you have picked up a few tricks through books, videos, and classes, it can be challenging to know where to go next. Finding a mentor is probably your best move if you want to take your skill to the next level.


So how do you find a mentor? Where is the best place to look? This list gives you eleven essential tools for finding a mentor in magic.


Tips for finding a mentor


  1. Ask friends who share your interest in magic. They might know someone willing to mentor you, or they may know someone who knows someone.

  2. Follow people on social media who are experts in magic. If they don't offer mentoring services, consider asking them if they would be interested in taking an apprentice as a side project.

  3. Join magic clubs or organizations near you. See if they offer mentoring services or know anyone who provides such services.

You could read every single book out there on magic tricks.


You could watch every single magician's performance you can find on the internet.


But nothing will ever compare to having a real-life mentor—a person who can answer your questions and guide you as you learn.


Start reaching out to other magicians in your area of interest.


 

Internet forums


Internet forums are the best place to find out about all the latest tricks and techniques of magic.


a magician in front of a computer that shows an online magician forum
Online forums like Reddit are a great way to stay connected


They're also a great place to connect with other magicians, learn from their experience, and get answers from other magicians.



 

Facebook Groups


Facebook is another resource for magicians. Several private groups are devoted to sharing information, tips, and tricks with magicians worldwide.



a laptop displaying Facebook on a table filled with playing cards and other items
Join online Facebook groups


These groups will allow you to ask questions, share knowledge, and chat with other people who are eager to learn just like you!



 

Reddit


There are subreddits dedicated entirely to magic, and they're great places to have your questions answered by experts who might have answers to your specific questions.



 

Magician Podcast


If you're looking for inspiration, there are tons of great magician podcasts with plenty of great resources and interviews you can learn from.


a young magician listening to magician podcasts on his laptop with playing cards all around him
Listen to Magician Podcasts

Listen to a few episodes of each one and find your favorite.


Here are a few popular magician podcasts.


  • The Magic Word

  • Magicians Talking Magic

  • Conversations with Close Michael Close

  • Discourse in Magic Jonah Babins

  • Magicians Advice Phil Taylor & Ian Brennan

  • Magician Business Ken Kelly & Julian Mather

  • Magicians Talking Magic Podcast Ryan Joyce & Graeme Reed

  • Magic Talk James Lantiegne

  • Penguin Magic Podcast Penguin Magic

  • Shezam Podcast Kayla Drescher

  • Successful Performercast Podcast Kris Sheppard

  • The Insider Vanishing Inc

  • The Magic Detective Podcast Dean Carnegie

  • The Magic Word Podcast Scott Wells

  • The Variety Artist Podcast John Abrams

  • Two Magicians One Mic Nick Paul


Check out our full post and links to magician podcasts here.


 

Magician Magazines


Subscribing to a magic magazine is a great way to stay up-to-date on what's happening in magic.


a magician reading a magic magazine with a magic wand in his hand and magician magazines all around him
Read Magic Magazines, like VANISH, is a great way to learn magic

You'll get information about new products, events and shows in your area, and even tips on becoming more successful as a magician.


These magazines are also an excellent way for new magicians to connect with other magicians.


They often include articles written by professional magicians who share their experiences and tips for getting started in this exciting field.


Some magic magazines are exclusive to official magic society members.


Check out this feature on Magician Magazines by Magician Masterclass.


 

Other Magicians


Who better to learn from than other magicians?


A group of magicians sharing magic tricks with playing cards, doves and top hats all around
One of the best ways to learn magic is through other magicians

They've already been through what you're going through now, so they can give you great tips on how to improve your magic act and get more people to pay attention to you.


Here are some of our favorite magicians to follow on social media


Famous magicians to follow on social media



 

Online courses


There are plenty of free and paid online courses available for people interested in learning the art of magic.


a young magician sitting at a desk with a laptop learning magic tricks
Online courses are a great way to learn beginner magic tricks

Here are some of our favorites:



 

Magic Shops


a magician visiting his local magic shop with books and magic tricks all around
Visit your local magic shop

These are one of the best places to get started in magic because they'll have all the gear and supplies you need and classes where you can learn from experts in person.


Magic Stores in North America



Distributors of Magic Tricks and Products



Online Magic Stores



 

Join a Magic Club


Yes, these magic clubs actually exist! We promise!


a young magician enter a magic club and shaking hands with the magicians
Magic Clubs are one of the best ways for magicians to learn magic

These clubs are usually made up of people at all different stages of their magical journey—and many are willing to share their knowledge with other magicians.


Everyone has something to teach! You can learn from other magicians, ask for advice, and get tips on how to improve your craft.


Here are some of the most famous magic clubs and associations.


North American FISM Member Magician Associations



To learn more about each magician organization, visit this page.


 

Frequently Asked Questions


How Can I Teach Myself Magic?


Looking for ways to impress people with magic?


Whether you want to learn magic tricks as a hobby or become a professional magician, there is no shortage of resources online to help you.


The best part about learning magic is that it's not as difficult as you think. Like any other skill, you can teach yourself how to perform magic tricks with the right resources.


Learning magic is a fun way to expand your mind and show off to friends and family.


This guide will answer all those questions and more.


Where Should I Start Learning Magic Tricks


If you are interested in learning some magic tricks but don't know where to start, we've compiled a list of resources to get you on the right path.


The first thing you should do is browse our blog and read our articles on how to start learning magic tricks. I recommend getting a magic book for beginners. By starting off with a good book on magic, you'll quickly master some fundamentals.


This will make learning more advanced magic tricks easier later in your journey.


What is the Easiest Magic Trick to Learn?


Do you want to learn a magic trick? If you do, that's great! Learning new tricks can be fun.


If you're learning how to do the trick for the first time, one of the most important things you need to understand is that doing magic takes practice.


The more you practice, the better you'll get at it.


That being said, some tricks are easier to learn than others.


Where can I learn magic for free?


What could possibly be better than learning magic for free?


I've got some good news for you: there are many resources where you can learn magic for free!


Magic is a lifelong pursuit, and it's best to start with the basics. It's always a good idea to make sure that you're starting out on the right foot and sustainably developing your skills.


  1. YouTube - There are tons of videos on YouTube that teach you how to do cool tricks. Just make sure to search for "magic trick" and not "magic trick tutorial," since the latter searches are usually very poorly done and reveal a lot more than they intend to.

  2. Reddit - There's a subreddit called /r/magic that's always got new tricks and discussions posted by people who want to show off their skills. It's a great place to join the conversation and learn from others before moving on to more complex stuff.

  3. Facebook groups - There are several Facebook groups dedicated just to magic, though many may be closed, so in most cases, you'll need approval from an admin before joining them.


Can I Learn Magic Online?


The answer is a resounding YES!


The internet is full of tools made to help you learn magic.


From websites to YouTube, there are many places you can find information that will help you on your journey toward becoming a full-fledged magician.


Magic is an art form, and like other arts, such as writing, creating visual art, or making music, it takes dedication to become good at it. Most people aren't great initially; it takes time and practice to grow into a proficient magician.


However, learning magic has never been easier with so many online resources.


Let's look at some of the resources available for those who want to learn magic online.


Is There A School To Learn magic?


The short answer is, "no."


There's no Hogwarts or equivalent for magic. Not exactly. There is a multi-day magic camp, called Tannens Magic Camp in New York for younger magicians (ages 10-17).


If you're interested in learning about magic, your best bet is to join a local magic club.


Magic Camp Reading:



There are over 2000 such clubs worldwide, and they offer lectures and lessons that can help you get started with the basics of magic.


The classes and lessons will cover everything from card tricks to mentalism to illusions, and they'll often include advice on setting up your performances, working with assistants, and more.


If you really want to immerse yourself in magic, you should attend a magician's convention!


Magicians' conventions are multi-day events running worldwide, and they feature incredible performances from some of the best minds in magic.


There are many ways to get involved in magic.


To make yourself a better magician, there are several topics you'll need to research and master. These include:


  • Theory. To create new tricks and routines or even come up with new variations on classic effects, you'll need to understand how magic works. How does misdirection work? What is the actual science behind some illusions? What other elements in life work similarly to magic tricks? Is there a way I can use these principles in my routine?

  • History. Magic has been around for centuries, and studying the different eras of magical performance can teach you valuable lessons about showmanship and audience interaction. You may even find inspiration for new kinds of effects! For example, do you remember the first time you saw someone pull a rabbit out of their hat? Or the first time an illusionist made something disappear? These were groundbreaking effects.


Is Magic Easy to Learn?


You probably already know that the best way to learn magic tricks is simply with practice.


But if you're like most people, you might not know where to start or what types of magic tricks you should be learning.


Magic is a lot like any other form of art. While some general skills can be applied to most forms of magic, different types of tricks require different approaches and methods.


That being said, just like an artist needs paintbrushes, a magician requires tools. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to the tools a magician uses for their tricks. The simplest tricks may only require a deck of cards, while more complex illusions may include computerized special effects.


The good news is that learning the basics of magic is pretty straightforward.


Once you master some basic sleight-of-hand techniques and understand the psychology behind how magic works, you'll be well on your way to becoming an effective magician.


How Do You Make A Coin Disappear?

You've probably seen this trick done before: a magician shows his audience a coin—for example, a quarter, and through sleight-of-hand, the coin vanishes into thin air!


If you want to learn how to do this classic disappearing coin trick, check out this post. There's an easy-to-follow video tutorial that will help you become an expert.



What Was The First Magic Trick?


You might think it was pulling a rabbit out of a hat or sawing someone in half.


Nope! Those tricks came later!


One of the oldest magic tricks still performed today is called the Lota Bowl—it involves making liquid appear from a bowl in various ways and has been performed since at least the 1600s!


 

Conclusion


In conclusion, the blog post on "12 Essential Tools To Transform You Into A Magician" offers a comprehensive guide for magicians, whether they are beginners or seasoned professionals.


Tools are the most essential part of any trade. Without the right tools, you can't do your job correctly.


By equipping yourself with these tools, you're not only enhancing your performances but also embracing the essence of the magical craft.


Each tool brings its unique contribution to the world of magic, helping you create unforgettable experiences for your audience.


Remember, the key to captivating magic lies in mastering these essentials.



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