In general, many consider studying theory dull and unnecessary. But, in magic, this is a must for anyone serious about it and looking to become the best magician possible.
In this article, we want to show you the value of books on magic theory and what you can learn by studying them.
Magic Theory, Its Importance, and Books
Let us first explain what the magic theory does. It tackles all areas of magic except for the tricks and methods.
What does that mean specifically? What does it cover?
Character development
This includes everything related to you as the performer and your stage persona. How do you want to approach people? Do you want to be funny or more serious? Do you want to be yourself or create a character? Character development will help you find the answers to these questions and more.
- Books on this topic: Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz, The Approach by Jamie D. Grant, Sharing Secrets by Roberto Giobbi
Scripting
A captivating script is key to performing entertaining magic. It’s more than just saying, “I will shuffle the cards,” or “I am going to find your card.” Emerging the spectator into a routine through a well-written script results in stronger and better reactions, leaving the spectator with a memorable experience.
- Books on this topic: Scripting Magic Vol. 2 by Pete McCabe, Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz, Maximum Entertainment 2.0 by Ken Weber, Inside Out by Ben Earl
Audience management
Communicating with your spectators. What to say, and what topics you should definitely avoid. Getting a feel for the audience and spectators’ personalities. Creating a connection and building a relationship with mutual respect. These and other aspects come together under audience management.
- Books on this topic: The Approach by Jamie D. Grant, Sharing Secrets by Roberto Giobbi, Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz, Maximum Entertainment 2.0 by Ken Weber
Misdirection and control of attention
Even if you have flawless skills and sleight of hand, your spectators can catch up on things and eventually ruin the show for themselves or you by calling you out. It is crucial to misdirect them at the right moment and control their attention to where you want them to look.
- Books on this topic: The Five Points in Magic by Juan Tamariz, The Books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder (Volume 1), The Structural Conception of Magic by Arturo de Ascanio, Sharing Secrets by Roberto Giobbi
Effect Creation
The goal of every magician should be to create the best, strongest, and most hard-hitting effect. What does it take? There are general pieces of advice you can apply to all tricks to improve them. They are also discussed by magic theory.
- Books on this topic: Designing Miracles by Darwin Ortiz, The Magic Way by Juan Tamariz, The Structural Conception of Magic by Arturo de Ascanio
Routining
Knowing how to assemble and order tricks for your show so it has a natural flow, doesn’t feel full of jump cuts, and builds up to a strong climax is a powerful skill.
- Books on this topic: The Structural Conception of Magic by Arturo de Ascanio, Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz
- One of the least obvious but most approachable publications that delve into routining is Roberto Giobbi’s Card College Light series. The first book has seven routines, each with three effects (opener, middle, closer). The second book has twenty-one effects divided into three groups. The final book has eighteen effects, which you should be able to put together correctly after studying the first two volumes.
Marketing
This is a vital area for all aspiring and professional magicians. To build a successful career and make magic a sustainable form of making a living, you have to know at least the basics of marketing. How do you present and sell yourself? How to use the internet and social media? How do you get new clients and turn them into regulars? Finding the answers to these questions will help you establish yourself as a sought-after entertainer.
- Books on this topic: The Approach by Jamie D. Grant, Conjuror at the Table by Al James
Staging, lighting, and sound engineering
When you think about magic, these don't immediately come to mind, but they are very important for close-up, parlor, and stage shows. Creating the correct magical setup can elevate your audience’s experience.
- Books on this topic: Maximum Entertainment 2.0 by Ken Weber
The End
As we have just shown, magic consists of much more than tricks and methods. One has to study and master many areas to become a great magician.
The books mentioned here will help you with that. All of them discuss more topics than those highlighted in the article. If you’d like to add them to your library, you can find them all here on our website.
One final note to studying magic theory books. Don’t expect to read them cover to cover in one sitting. They are full of knowledge that even reading five pages will make you think for hours about what you’ve just read. And that’s good!