P R A C T I C E

In order to be perfect, an illusionist must practice. This is true for any activity you wish be good at. As for magicians, practicing takes up about 80% of the time, while performing might take up 20%. In order to be a good magician practice is the key.

Learning a New Trick:

1. Practice each in the moves in the trick one by one. Don’t get involved in the actual patter or the sequence of moves. If the trick requires a tenkai, followed by a color change, practice the tenkai and color change separately. This will help when you learn new trick since you have already practiced the moves out of context. This part can be done in front of the TV or waiting in a line.
2. After you have each move decently down, go in front of a mirror and work out the angles. You will need to figure out where to stand how to face the audience. Try to make it smooth and natural. If for some reason you can not make it smooth, substitute another move that will get the same results.  
3. Next try to make the moves natural. If you are working on top palm. Drop your hand to your sides without a card and memorize how it looks. Now try to make your top palm look this natural. This is proabably the hardest part.
4. Once each move can be executed in a fairly decent manner, put it all together. Memorize the routine, and practice some of the moves some more. Get it smooth, got from one transistion to another. Add the patter in, talk out loud, take out the “umms” and “aahs”. Avoid irregular body movements. If you are still hesitant on a particular move in the trick. Go back to step 1, and make it as natural as possible. 
5. Now, once you have gotten the patter down, and the moves and it seems natural, practice the trick and perfect it for another month or so. Makes sure you execute the whole trick, with the patter. This will take the longest amount of time. You are actually building confidence in yourself and the trick. Once you have confidence in the trick, your chances of mucking the trick decrease.

Well there it is. Now go and practice!