After careful research I decided to purchase World Class Manipulations with Jeff McBride Volume 1
DVD. This DVD is a bit odd in that it focuses on three forms of manipulation and none involving
cards. However, that DVD seemed to get the highest compliments by manipulators. The three forms
taught are coins, billiard balls and thimbles. The coins might be useful, the thimbles would be
throw away material and the balls would be the meat and potatoes.
I purchased an
inexpensive set of Vernet multiplying balls and was all set to immerse in billiard balls.
Unfortunately, the many Magic Cafe posts about purchasing quality billiards, such as the Fakini
silicone balls, proved true. I could work on some dexterity and sleights but if I'm to be serious
about billiards, the expensive Fakini balls are in my future.
Out of morbid curiosity, I
watched the thimble section of World Class Manipulations. I mean, come on, do kids even know what a
thimble is? I hadn't seen one in decades. And they're so small, how could they "play big" as they
say in magic. They just seem corny.
However, after watching McBride rattle off a few
thimble routines I was amazed. Thimbles have a magical quality unlike anything I had seen. The
appearances and vanishes are so convincing. Sure they may be a dated household item but the moves
were so cool and smooth.
I immediately purchased a set of Vernet thimbles and unlike the
multiplying balls, I really like their thimbles. The set has four white, nested thimbles and four
multi-colored, nested thimbles for a total of 16 thimbles. If you become fascinated with thimbles
be sure to check out Joe Mogar's Thimble Dexterity DVD. It is a completely different style that
McBride's style and very magical as well.
Highly recommended.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
I decided I wanted to add the Miser’s Dream to my act. I knew the basic moves but wanted to learn a
complete routine. After looking at several possibilities I decided to purchase Jeff McBride’s World
Class Manipulation, Volume 1. The reason is simple – I have found the other effects I perform that
are based on Jeff’s teachings to be highly entertaining routines that get great audience response.
Jeff makes the coin manipulations easy to understand, and the Miser’s Dream routine is he
teaches was exactly what I was looking for – varied, entertaining, and surprisingly easy to learn.
I am not currently using any ball or thimble work in my act, but if I ever decide to add any I know
I have a great resource to turn to.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
I bought this DVD to learn ball manipulation and was not dissapointed. There is also lots of
information on manipulating other items such as thimbles and coins. He is a master manipulator and
makes this stuff look easy. With practice the moves and techniques will become and look fantastic.
This is a great starting place for anyone looking to add manipulation to their act.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
Incredible series. Also, get Jeff McBride's card manipulation series.
Fantastic
instruction, and beautifully shot. Jeff is so charming, interesting, and funny too. Every magician
has to own this set.
So many ideas. You will get better as a magician in all you do by
watching Jeff. I also recommend Levent's brilliant DVDs too.