Say What?

[mattjones]

Hey guys,
I just got done performing for the second time ever to a group of random strangers... It went alright, but it could have been better. I'm glad I did it because I got some useful knowledge from the whole thing.
1.) KNOW what you're gonna do. (I went blank right after a few tricks...)
2.) HAVE some patter. (I didn't have any patter and it showed)

So I just thought I'd ask what you guys do in a real-world performance situation... for a first time or for the zillionth time. (As far as knowing tricks and patter)

 

[greg]

Hey guys,
I just got done performing for the second time ever to a group of random strangers... It went alright, but it could have been better. I'm glad I did it because I got some useful knowledge from the whole thing.
1.) KNOW what you're gonna do. (I went blank right after a few tricks...)
2.) HAVE some patter. (I didn't have any patter and it showed)

So I just thought I'd ask what you guys do in a real-world performance situation... for a first time or for the zillionth time. (As far as knowing tricks and patter)

Just have everything ready before you leave home and be sure you have a routine that you can do anywhere with no preparation at all..

 

[mattjones]

Just have everything ready before you leave home and be sure you have a routine that you can do anywhere with no preparation at all..

I usually have a deck of cards and a Sharpie on me when I go out, but I rarely perform. I'm starting to change that, and I realize how important good patter is. I just need to have a bread-and-butter routine that I can continue perfecting every time I go out.

 

[greg]

I usually have a deck of cards and a Sharpie on me when I go out, but I rarely perform. I'm starting to change that, and I realize how important good patter is. I just need to have a bread-and-butter routine that I can continue perfecting every time I go out.

i think if you are going to write a script it should only be a few key sentences that you may use

 

[dejavu05]

I mostly have a patter down, but I might change that patter when I see the audience and know who they are. I will not change it a ton but I will change a little sometimes.

 

[SHANE BLACK]

Uhmm,..alright can you clarify what your asking of us? Are you asking me if I have a routine or do I just perform tricks to people. I'm not being rude it's just your opening thread was a little splotchy on your explaination you lost me on the zillionth part.

If I'm reading this right I normally have 2 or 3 natural routines that I perform without gimmicks that can be performed at any time. Usually I liked to be prepared with a few things at all times usually ranging from one deck of cards, coin purse, sharpie. I have a set patter for most of my effects but I can bend accordingly to the audiences needs to entertain them.

Shane

 

[darosa.justin]

Uhmm,..alright can you clarify what your asking of us? Are you asking me if I have a routine or do I just perform tricks to people. I'm not being rude it's just your opening thread was a little splotchy on your explaination you lost me on the zillionth part.

If I'm reading this right I normally have 2 or 3 natural routines that I perform without gimmicks that can be performed at any time. Usually I liked to be prepared with a few things at all times usually ranging from one deck of cards, coin purse, sharpie. I have a set patter for most of my effects but I can bend accordingly to the audiences needs to entertain them.

Shane

Ditto. I don't have like a written speech that I memorize, but I've performed the trick enough times to realize what is needed/what isn't and what to say.

I think my magic is pretty much impromtu, i.e. very casual but killer too.

 

[Sergey]

In the book Expert Card Technique, in the Presentation section, it talks about patter: It says to write out what you are going to say, then memorize it and rehearse it for a day, then just forget about it for a couple days (or more) and then come back to it and try to say it again, and you won't be saying it exactly as scripted but you'll be generally talking on the same topic, and that's what I do (except I don't wrtie it out) and I think you should too.

But of course you should adapt on the spot, if you can, to the type of person you are performing, but that's just little details of your patter, the generally topic stays the same.

 

[Jakeh]

I try to keep things as loose or possible, otherwise I'd sound like a robot.

 

[mattjones]

Uhmm,..alright can you clarify what your asking of us? Are you asking me if I have a routine or do I just perform tricks to people. I'm not being rude it's just your opening thread was a little splotchy on your explaination you lost me on the zillionth part.

If I'm reading this right I normally have 2 or 3 natural routines that I perform without gimmicks that can be performed at any time. Usually I liked to be prepared with a few things at all times usually ranging from one deck of cards, coin purse, sharpie. I have a set patter for most of my effects but I can bend accordingly to the audiences needs to entertain them.

Shane

Yeah, you got it. I'm just asking how prepared you are, as far as patter goes.

 

[mattjones]

I usually don't have any patter prepared except for showing them a "move" used in gambling and card magic. (Borrowed from Brad Christian) I need to have my own twist on Ambitious Card, but I haven't performed it enough to make it a full 10 minute routine without stopping and trying to remember another way to bring it to the top...

 

[princehidalgo]

I keep a deck of some kind in my card clip beside my wallet in my valet at all times...I tend to switch decks alot...its usually a different one everyday....then i keep a mini sharpie on my keychain...I am ready to say a few lines, but they change everytime almost...i dont even notice them anymore...plus the group dynamic is always changing where ever you perform and attitudes and characters are always different...to many variables to have "Strict" lines

 

[mattjones]

I had another patter-related idea, so I thought I'd just post it here:

I'm struggling to come up with some decent patter and I thought this would be a good place to have other people share patter that they've gotten some good milage out of, SO....

If anyone has any patter that gets explosive reactions, lots of laughter, or is just plain entertaining, please share.

I've had people tell me I'm funny, but I don't really want to focus all my patter on humor... Anyone have patter that really pulls a great reaction out of their audience?

By the way, this is patter for ANY trick. Not just card routines.