How to Become a Magician In The 21st Century

If you're aspiring to become a magician, there are several key skills you'll need to master. But where should you begin? What equipment should you invest in, which resources should you explore, and who are the experts you can learn from to ensure the best start?

In this article, we'll explore some of the top magicians in the industry and recommend both easy and challenging magic tricks to help you embark on your magical journey. 

Where To Start!

If I had to start over, I would choose YouTube as one of the best places to begin learning magic. Although it's a cliché and many professional magicians might disagree, here's my reasoning: it's accessible to everyone, offers a vast amount of content, and can be incredibly educational if you're willing to invest the time and effort. Plus, it provides a window into what both professional magicians and hobbyists are doing, giving you a broad perspective on the craft. Just type into youtube search "learn magic tricks" and you have just entered the rabbit hole "good luck"

What Magic Should I Perform?

Magic performances come in many different styles, each with its own unique appeal. Personally, I really enjoy close-up magic because it feels more personal and fun. Whether you prefer stage magic or mind-reading, I suggest picking one or two styles and checking out some of the top performances on YouTube. This is a great way to find out what you like best. Here are some common types of magic performances to consider:

1. Close-Up Magic: Also known as micro magic, this type involves intimate tricks performed right before a small audience, often using cards, coins, or small objects.

2. Stage Magic: Larger-scale illusions performed on stage for a significant audience, involving elaborate props and sometimes assistants. This category includes classic illusions like sawing a person in half.

3. Street Magic: Performed informally in public spaces, street magic combines elements of both close-up and stage magic, with a focus on organic, spectator-involved tricks.

4. Mentalism: A genre where magicians perform feats that appear to read minds, predict the future, or influence thoughts, often relying on psychological tricks.

5. Parlor Magic: Somewhere between close-up and stage magic, performed in front of a medium-sized audience in a casual setting such as a party or small theater.

6. Escapology: Focuses on escape acts, where performers release themselves from restraints like handcuffs, ropes, or locked containers.

7. Comedy Magic: Combines humor with magic, where the magician includes comedic elements or routines within the magical performance.

8. Children’s Magic: Tailored specifically for young audiences, emphasizing entertainment and amazement with colorful, playful tricks.

9. Bizarre Magic: Involves storytelling with dark or horror-themed illusions, often employing props like skulls or artifacts to create a mysterious, eerie atmosphere.

Each of these performances requires different skills and props, allowing magicians to specialize and innovate within their chosen styles. 

Simply search any of the above in Youtube to see the differences and then pick one you like. Most magicians pick close up magic.

Ok Now You Have Picked A Style What Next?

Now it's time to dive down the rabbit hole and fully immerse yourself in your chosen style. If, for instance, you've decided on close-up magic (most do), begin by exploring free resources like YouTube to build a foundation. Once you've gained some initial skills and understanding, it's crucial to take things up a notch. This means investing a bit in your first set of tricks or digital downloads, which will allow you to refine your techniques and expand your repertoire. 

Buy Your First Trick (Where & What)

When purchasing your first magic trick, it's important to choose items that are both intriguing and suitable for beginners.

Start with quality playing cards from trusted brands like Bicycle or Tally-Ho, which are essential for learning card tricks. Beginner magic kits offer a variety of simple tricks and props, check out "how to be a magicain kit by Ellusionis" or "how to read minds kit by Ellustionst", allowing you to explore different types of magic.

Books like "The Royal Road to Card Magic" or "Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic" provide comprehensive, step-by-step instructions ideal for newcomers.

You might want to try basic coin magic, including special coins and sponge balls, which are great for practicing close-up tricks. Buying digital tutorials from trusted sources like Big Blind Media can help you learn specific tricks in detail. Simple tools like thumb tips or Svengali decks are perfect for beginners, as they let you create impressive effects without too much setup. By choosing items that fit your interests and skill level, you'll build a strong foundation for your journey into magic.

Where To Buy Magic Tricks & Downloads

In the UK, there are several reputable places to purchase magic tricks, whether you're looking for a physical store or prefer shopping online. Here are some options:

UK Brick-and-Mortar Magic Shops:

International Magic (London): Located in Clerkenwell, this shop provides a comprehensive selection of magic items and hosts events and workshops.

MagicBox (Newcastle): Known for its friendly service and wide variety of products for both beginners and professionals.

Alakazam Magic:(London)Known for a large catalog, including exclusive tricks and products for magicians of all skill levels.

Online Magic Stores:

Ellusionist Magic. Known for their high-quality video tutorials and innovative magic tricks, Ellusionist is a go-to source for modern, edgy magic that emphasises visual impact and street magic style.

Penguin Magic. Offers one of the largest collections of magic tricks, downloads. It's popular for its extensive range of products catering to magicians of all levels and its reliable customer service.

Big Blind Media. Specialises in card magic and downloads, providing a curated selection of tricks and effects that often focus on cardistry and sleight of hand for both beginners and advanced practitioners. 

Next Steps To Becoming A Magician

If you're looking to immerse yourself further in the realm of magic, your next move should be to become a member of a magic club or attend a magic convention.

Magic Conventions

Attending events like the Blackpool Magic Convention can be a great way to see new tricks, meet other magicians, and purchase from various vendors gathered in one place. Blackpool Magic Convention is the largest in the world and they have some top class acts, check out some reviews on Youtube.

Join A Magic Magic Club

The Magic Circle: Known as the world's premier magic society, The Magic Circle is based in London and hosts various events and shows.

Blackpool Magicians' Club: This club is famous for hosting the biggest magic convention in the world annually in Blackpool.

International Brotherhood of Magicians (British Ring): This is a global organization with a British ring that holds an annual convention. 

The British Magical Society: While specific event details are not provided, it is among the mentioned societies in UK directories.

These clubs are well-known in the magic community and organise various events and conventions throughout the year.

4. Learn Magic From Magician Podcasts

If you're looking to learn the art of magic, magician podcasts are a great way to discover tricks from talented magicians around the world. These podcasts serve as a helpful beginner's guide for anyone interested in magic. They discuss everything from important magic books to the best magic sets, giving aspiring magicians the resources they need to improve their skills. Besides teaching tricks, these podcasts also share tips on joining magic clubs and connecting with the magic community.

Here are some magician podcasts that I recommend.

1. The Magic Word: Hosted by Scott Wells, this podcast features magicians talking about magic, magic conventions, and current happenings in the magic scene 

2. Penguin Magic Podcast: A weekly show that brings interviews from top names in magic, providing insights into the world of magic.

3. Discourse in Magic: Hosted by Jonah Babins and Tyler Williams, this podcast tackles magic's toughest issues, theories, and offers actionable tips to enhance performance 

4. Magic Talk with James Lantiegne: Hosted by magician James Lantiegne and White Rabbit Magic Shop owner Joshua Lantiegne, discusses various aspects of the magic craft with fellow magicians and fans.

5. The Insider: A short and informative podcast by Vanishing Inc. that interviews well-known magicians.

6. The Magic Detective Podcast:Hosted by Dean Carnegie, this podcast explores magic history, including stories about Houdini and other lesser-known magicians.

7. Shezam: Hosted by Kayla Drescher and Carisa Hendrix, this podcast provides a funny and feminist perspective on the world of magic.

Final Thoughts

This has been a brief summary of the path to becoming a magician or simply entering the world of magic—something I wish I had when I began my journey over 20 years ago. If you're interested in a sequel, please leave a comment below, as there’s a wealth of information to share, or feel free to reach out to me directly at www.magicianscorner.co.uk. I sincerely hope you found this helpful and that it offers you some valuable insights until we connect again.