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Discover the “Advice from Our Pros” Section: Your Gateway to Magic Wisdom!
If you’re looking for a boost in your magical journey, you’re in the right place. Our website’s “Advice from Our I.B.M. Pros” section is...
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Tips for Aspiring Mentalists
Contrary to advice, using playing cards in mentalism can be beneficial because people trust them more than ESP cards, especially...
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Make Your Name Part of the Magic
When performing, one of the most important things you can do is make sure people remember your name. Too many magicians put on incredible...
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The Stage Never Stops
I am honored to share a few thoughts with you—ideas that apply not only to magic, but to life itself. Let me borrow a statement from...
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Why Every Show—and Every Lesson—Matters
Make the most of every performance opportunity—whether it’s for a family member, a group of friends, a small theater, a packed...
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What I’ve Learned
I’ve been doing magic as my full-time job since I got out of college in 1981. Since then, I’ve done over 20,000 shows for millions of...
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Finding Your Magic
One of the questions I get all the time from new magicians is: · “How do I come up with tricks?” · “How do I invent new tricks...
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On Magic Ethics
Magic thrives on creativity, secrecy, and respect for originality. While magicians often draw from shared techniques like levitations,...
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Being Approachable
Award-winning Magician Shawn Farquhar, Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and recipient of the...
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Advice for the Amateur
When asked how I choose a method to use for an effect, I always try to choose a method that is beautiful or joyful. If thinking about it...
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The Real Tricks of the Trade (Hint: They’re Not on Stage)
Tips from a pro never ends up quite as sexy as it sounds. It reeks of excitement and glamour (I mean, that’s why we all want to be...
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Improvisation and Character in Comedy Magic
I’m known as a comedy magician. But people who know my work, fellow performers, repeat audience members, even crew, often walk away...
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How do you develop a really good magic act?
This is the question that I have been thinking about for over sixty years. Ever since I discovered magic and magicians at the age of...
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Fail Forward Fast
Every mistake is a learning opportunity. You can’t jump into stand-up comedy without bombing, and the same goes for magic. You can’t...
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10 Tips for Serious Magicians (2025 Edition)
© McBride Magic & Mystery School 1. STUDY DEEPLY—AND READ WIDELY Don’t just study magic—study art, life, and people . Learn what truly...
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A Few Pieces of Advice That I Live By
To all those future magicians—it’s okay to do it as a hobby. Performing Magic professionally is something that must burn within. You must...
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