Practice, Rehearsing & Training

I read from Texan-magician and world-champion, Michael Ammar’s well-written book years ago, that there is a relevance and distinction between all three.

At last week’s world championships of magic - FISM - I realized that Ammar’s words made much sense. The winners in each category were thoroughly prepared in terms of the skills, originality and confidence required to execute their 10-minute routines to near-perfection.

When you practise sleight-of-hand magic for close-up magic, or for manipulation (candles, canes, fans, doves) you are learning specific techniques and skills. Rehearsal is about applying these skills within the context of a show, or for a specific act. Training is preparation for competition, and FISM is the culmination of months, even years of specific preparation to be the best in the world in this unique field of entertainment.

Many amateur magicians, after watching the latest YouTube clips of famous magicians, may throng magic shops (online as well as brick and mortar) in search of new tricks. They will be, mostly, practicing and rehearsing (if they intend to perform for the public); they may not even compete. In my experience having competed on several occasions, training for contests involves the sharpening of the saw (in the Covey sense). The numerous rehearsals lock in your muscle memory (very much like a musician), and more importantly, gets the script and timing down precisely. Lack of training may cause us to be stuck, and unable to perform at our best. In a magic contest, you will be disqualified for going over time.

Whether you are a competing magician, competitive endurance athlete, making a sales pitch or marketing presentation, do consider the need to practise, rehearse and train. It will help you hone your technique.