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While many magic tricks can be performed with close-up scrutiny, others benefit from distraction. Distracting the audience or misdirecting their attention allows you the flexibility to perform your secret moves without notice.
You can’t buy the art of distraction at an online magic store or magic store of any type. You must master it through practice. Sure, you can buy magic books and magic DVD that will teach you distraction techniques, and this is a good idea by the way, but you must practice leading and directing the audience.
The next time you’re in a group, try this: put your hand on your chin and tell everyone to put their hands on their noses. What do most of the people do? They will follow your lead and touch their chins just as you did while ignoring your verbal command. The visual instructions are far more powerful than the verbal.
When performing magic tricks, you can take advantage of people’s tendencies to following visual cues and lead your audience with your eyes. For example, if you look up with your eyes, your audience will too. However, their attention span is short, so you must be aware of this. You only have a second or two before your audience becomes distracted from the distraction.
Using distraction while working your magic tricks is effective when done properly. Keep in mind the power of visual cues. This can work for you or against you. For example, if you need to manipulate a coin in your right hand, by directing attention elsewhere, you can do so without notice. But what if you accidently look at your right hand? Guess who else will look at it?
The art of distraction is used in card tricks and magic tricks of all types. Master this art and you will be able to pull off just about any magic trick imaginable! | |
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