Joseph Coker

Whatever book a beginner begins to study, the books won’t make them into a great performer, or even a bad one. Like anything else, the only way to learn to perform is to do it. The first time they try, it won’t go very well. The 100th time will be a little better. ‘Experience is all’, and thinking about it that may be the only advice worth giving.

A lot of people get ‘paralysed’ because they want to be good, and perfect and confident right from the beginning. Well, sorry, but it doesn’t work like that. Look, here’s the deal. You go out and you perform a trick or two for real people. The first time, you probably won’t be that good. In fact, you’ll probably be pretty awful. That’s OK. It’s allowed. I was awful (and maybe I still am). All the great magicians and mindreaders around… they were all hopeless when they started. That’s what starting out is like.

But so long as you’ve started, you’ve done the most important thing… you’ve actually performed for people. You’ve done it. You haven’t just sat at home thinking about it or pretending that you’re still preparing. You’ve done it. For real. That’s what counts.

So, you’re first time was fairly dreadful. The next time, you’ll be better. The time after that, you’ll be better still. And so on. After 100 times, you’ll really be getting the hang of it. This is called learning by doing, and it’s the only way. Understand this: it is the only way.

Every performance counts. If you’re entertaining someone with magic, or at least giving it your best shot, then it counts as a performance. Even if it’s just a two minute card trick for one person at one party, it counts. It’s experience. Over time, several things will happen. You will find your natural performing persona. You will find what sort of material works for you. You will find what sort of material you like doing, and that you have success with. It’s a slow process, for sure. But it is the only way.