Some advice on starting basic magic tricks?

[smearyllama]

So I've decided to try basic magic/sleight of hand stuff...
...but I have no idea where to start.

Watching LRR and Fullmetal Alchemist has gotten me interested in the subject (I know I won't be able to transmute my arm into a sword, but the show got me thinking), and I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with this.
I'm really just looking for a book, or some advice, or a helpful Youtube video on where to begin, so any help at all is appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

Work out your fingers. Moving cards, coins, and other objects takes a lot of practice with the hands. Being able to conceal things naturally is what will help a lot.

Give a little reading into psychology. Slight of Hand, and illusion is a lot to do with the psychology of the human mind. The brain concieves and looks for things as you do your tricks, and being able to play the brain is what a lot of magic is about.


I refer you to this. Teller, the normally silent half of Penn and Teller, gives some insight to psychology in magic.

 

[Dags90]

Well, I'm not sure how you're going to "slight" hands, usually that's something you're born with. Being dextrous is obviously important, as is being flashy. Don't stop moving. Your hands should be doing something at all times, even when you aren't actually doing magic, or it will be more obvious when you start moving them for tricks.

Also, get yourself a sexy assistant.

 

[Fumofu]

Well, I'm not sure how you're going to "slight" hands, usually that's something you're born with. Being dextrous is obviously important, as is being flashy. Don't stop moving. Your hands should be doing something at all times, even when you aren't actually doing magic, or it will be more obvious when you start moving them for tricks.

Also, get yourself a sexy assistant.

Just to clarify, Dags (probably) isn't joking when he says get an assistant. A magician's assistant(s) is part of the distraction. Plus it's always nice to have someone who is in on the trick.

 

[EHKOS]

Question. How do you get better at sleight of hand? My hands are slow and clumsy

 

[WolfThomas]

Call them illusions, a trick is what a whore does for money.

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

Question. How do you get better at sleight of hand? My hands are slow and clumsy

practice practice practice! teaching your hands to move with a little more deftness. All of life, is about practice.

 

[Cakes]

As far as coin magic goes, Bobo's Modern Coin Magic is the standard. It's been ages since I've been into any of this, I can't remember if there was any equivalent book for cards.