Question about Flow

[ChristopherR2]

Tomorrow will mark one month since I decided to make the dive into the world of Cardistry. With that I have a question about establishing flow/smoothness of a flourish.

Currently I've been focused on 2 handed cuts.

1. Five Faces of Sybil

2. Sybil 947

3. Molecule Changling

Now, I've been practicing my ass off. I can easily do the moves required for each of these flourishes. However what I haven't reached is a sense of flow, smoothness, or speed within each flourish.

How long does this take? Or, let me rephrase that. For any 2 handed cut that you were focused on. How long did it take you to establish that sense of flow, smoothness, or speed that's displayed the links I provided above?

I fully understand the importance of practice, practice, practice. Which I will continue to do. Yet, it's just getting frustrating doing the same moves over and over again and I'm not getting that sense of flow for a flourish that would be even worthy enough to record a video for. Or even gain a sense of understanding on what changes I need to make to improve.

Just trying to get an idea if there is anything that I can do to improve to establish that sense of flow and if it's just practice, practice, practice. What is a ballpark number I can expect to dedicate to a flourish before I can expect to see some real solid results?

 

[CaseyRudd]

I know this isn't the answer you want to hear but it really takes tons and tons of practice, and there isn't a distinct timeframe because each flourish is different. You are also only one month into cardistry, so flow isn't something that will come right away. Once you have the basics of the move down, practice putting it all together slowly. The way you establish flow is to do each move slowly and work on getting it right. Then, speed it up a little. But a fast flourish doesn't mean a smooth flourish, or a flourish with flow. Most of the flow comes from doing it at a consistent speed throughout. It's very rare that a flourish done with insane speed will look good. Focus on slow at first, then pick up the speed later.

I've been doing Madonna 2 and 3 by Dan and Dave since I learned them in 2009 when I first got into Cardistry, and it's taken me that long to get them down pretty well. They aren't perfect, but the smoothness and flow is there. Here is a quick performance of them: https://instagram.com/p/4LiJSmufSG/?taken-by=casey.rudd

Expect the long grind. It's years of practice. We all start somewhere!

 

[ChristopherR2]

I know this isn't the answer you want to hear but it really takes tons and tons of practice, and there isn't a distinct timeframe because each flourish is different. You are also only one month into cardistry, so flow isn't something that will come right away. Once you have the basics of the move down, practice putting it all together slowly. The way you establish flow is to do each move slowly and work on getting it right. Then, speed it up a little. But a fast flourish doesn't mean a smooth flourish, or a flourish with flow. Most of the flow comes from doing it at a consistent speed throughout. It's very rare that a flourish done with insane speed will look good. Focus on slow at first, then pick up the speed later.

I've been doing Madonna 2 and 3 by Dan and Dave since I learned them in 2009 when I first got into Cardistry, and it's taken me that long to get them down pretty well. They aren't perfect, but the smoothness and flow is there. Here is a quick performance of them: https://instagram.com/p/4LiJSmufSG/?taken-by=casey.rudd

Expect the long grind. It's years of practice. We all start somewhere!

THANK YOU! That actually does help out. I think the real challenge is that for a beginner we are actually going about this in the blind. Sure we have excellent material to work off of whether it's from YouTube, Theory11, or Dan and Dave. But I think what's missing is what to expect in the long haul for this journey into Cardistry and what it takes to become a really good Cardist overall.

Also just watched your video. That's exactly the type of flow and sense of smoothness that I'm after. I'm very impressed and you earned another follower. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

 

[Bryant_Tsu]

Since cardistry moves are one of those things that you get when you get it (whenever that may be) I choose to just learn a couple moves here and there as I feel that setting any sort of schedule or timeline to complete these things may end up taking longer or shorter than what I have planned. I just do it a a slow pace that is right for me.

Also cheers to one month of cardistry!

 

[ChristopherR2]

Since cardistry moves are one of those things that you get when you get it (whenever that may be) I choose to just learn a couple moves here and there as I feel that setting any sort of schedule or timeline to complete these things may end up taking longer or shorter than what I have planned. I just do it a a slow pace that is right for me.

Also cheers to one month of cardistry!

I think the mistake I'm making is the fact that once I understand mentally the mechanics of a move I have this expectation that sense of understanding should flow through my arms and out my hands. I mean I picked up the Charlier Cut, Scissors Cut, and the Revolution Cut right away why shouldn't it be the same case with 2-hand cuts?

Just like Casey mentioned. I just need to slow down, stop rushing for the end zone, and just enjoy the process.

Either way I'm definitely in this for the long haul. Also, thanks! This month has past by in a blink of an eye. My passion for this is still going strong. I've said this before, the longest time I've been able to put down a pack of cards is when I'm sleeping. LOL!

 

[CaseyRudd]

Also just watched your video. That's exactly the type of flow and sense of smoothness that I'm after. I'm very impressed and you earned another follower. Looking forward to seeing more from you.

Thank you! I don't really post all that often, but I'm glad you liked it!

 

[Tower of Lunatic Meat]

Flow is tough. I feel your pain on that one. I've been doing Muse Cut since last October and thought I had it down, but I actually got the speed and flow to work smoothly last month.
I've been doing Teachwrap since January since January and I can't get it to flow as well as I'd like to. Don't sweat it and press on with it.

It doesn't take long to learn a move (unless you're me and trying to learn Flicker), but a lot of your time is going to be making the moves look clean and neat.

Here's my thing, if you're going to make a video, focus on the moves you want to highlight and practice those for a while.

For me, setting a timeline has done nothing but motivate me to learn and polish up moves and troubleshoot them faster. But I think that only works if you have a goal in mind like making a video, going to the next Cardistry Con, etc.

Unless it's live, you can always reshoot 127 times until you get it right--like Stanley Cubrick.

If you're learning moves just to learn them, don't sweat it, it'll all come to you through practice and proper troubleshooting.