Why am I stuck in magician Hell?

"Yer always a slave to something...."

I cannot believe I have forgotten to ever MENTION this but here goes.... Music. Thaz right. Tunes, songs, ditties, jingles, noize. Whatever you call it it always adds a bit of that extra something to a show.It could be comedy, drama, action, excitement. Any good stage show needs it. Look at ANY of the pros and see how they do it. (Even if "let me see that thong" isn't yer taste in songs you'll get the idea.)

Watch any movie. Do you know what gets people swept up into the moment more than the acting. Well obviously I am gonna say the music, buuuuut thaz not all. It's everything. Many elements lead up to that moment of belief. Many of our beloved stage illusionists would be nowhere without their background score. Also if they had picked the wrong piece of music. It takes a bit of time to get to know what will work and what fits the piece you need. Here are a few tips to help you out if you are wondering how to improve your tune handling ability.

1. Don't use overly popular modern music: First off it's everywhere and no one really wants to hear it again. It's called pop music for a reason. It could easily be called fad music. I once knew a guy who used a backstreet boys song in his act. There are many things wrong with this. (Could have been worse, he could have used New Kids on the Block) If you use most of today's modern music for a mixed crowd you are going to run into people who just do NOT like that type of tripe. They will lose interest IMMEDIATELY because of the music. You run that risk with any music you use, but the more unknown or unobtrusive it is, the better... This leads me to..

2. Know yer Audience: Hell this is a no brainer. This applies to ANYTHING you do. However if yer going to be working a rock and roll night club don't use soothing soft rock and if yer doing a nice family show do not use Marilyn Manson. (I mean sure his song "Cake and Sodomy" is perfect for any sub-trunk routine but curb that urge I plead you.)

3. Use Instrumentals: Aside from the fact that most classical music is now public domain, there is a very good reason to use music sans words. If it is a song that ANYONE knows they will shift their mind away from you and try to remember what it is, where they know it from, what the lyrics are, who sings it, etc. They will not totally focus on you. This also kinda goes back to #1 up there. Use a nice obscure instrumental track, it will help you in the long run. I am not saying use ONLY that. There is only so much techno music or 60's bossanova one person can take. There are many songs with words that just WORK with a magic piece. I'm just saying.. be careful.

4. Pick stuff you would listen to normally: It helps when you know the music so well, not just because you have heard it in practice 50 zillion times, that you can adjust and know your timing. When you like what you use you will never get sick of it and actually enjoy yourself more on-stage. Know thyself.

Lastly let me comment on the "Timed RIGHT to the music" thing. Many magic routines are so dependent on the music piece that if something messes up or gets out of time they are in trouble. This rarely happens and it can add a lot but there is no rule that sez you can't have the music as a more background aesthetic and use it as you please. It helps not to be restricted by your surroundings. (Unless yer into that S&M type of stuff. You know, skittles and M&M's.)

Music can be the key you need to get the reaction you are looking for. I would comment more but my brain has been fuzzy all day and it is 5:30 in the morning.

And I promise this journal will go back to more ranting about magic itself and not the people abusing it.. even myself. Regardless, welcome back.

Bizzaro.