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Balancing Wand
You show your left hand empty and make fist. Then you extend your index finger pointing upward and place your wand on it straight up! You let go of the right hand and it balances on the finger.(figure 1) Even when you slightly tilt it, itstays balanced. Then when you turn it all the way sideways it still stays balanced on your finger.(figure 2) You take the wand off your finger and hand it out for inspection.
figure 1
figure 2
This will require a tube or hollow wand (these are the new style sold to people or given to volunteers at our shows). If you make a wand it will need to have a small hole drilled in one end if made of a solid rod or dowel. You will also need a wire coat hanger. Cut the wire to look like figures 3, 4 and 5)
figure 3 Notice the wire has a bend in the palm part for better handling control.
figure 4 Notice the wire bends at the finger tip and then upward so the wand can slide into it.
figure 5 Here it is connected to the wand.
I didn't mention lengths. You will need to make it to fit your hand so the lengths will vary person to person. The idea is that the wire will hug against the inside of the index finger to the tip and against the palm held by the other fingers like in figure 2 in particular. On the tip that goes into the wand I have place a pit of felt. Figure 6 shows the felt brand I used. If the wire is snug in the wand already then don't worry about the felt. The felt is just there to make the wand fit snug onto the wire. figure 6 Just wrap it on the wire and trim off the extra.
To start off put the wire on the wand like in figure 5. Then hold it in your right hand like in figure 7. Figure 8 shows your view. Your right hand will hide the wire but watch angles. Practicing in front of a mirror will help.
figure 7
figure 8
Show your left hand empty and hold it palm facing you, fingers upward.(figure 9) bring the wand over with your right hand and pass the wire behind the left palm as you "place" the wand on your index finger. As you do this you can close your other fingers in your left hand grabbing the wire.(figure 10 and 11 and 12)
figure 9
figure 10
figure 11
figure 12
figure 13 The audience's view.
When you are finished showing off your "magical power" then you only need to reverse the steps. Straigtening the left hand fingers and hving the right hand take the wand back, Show your left hand empty and then pull the wand from the right hand pulling it off of the wire. Hand it out to be inspected. Don't rush but eventually slip your right hand into your pocket and ditch the wire.
Rolling Wand
You place your wand on the table. Rub your hands together explaining you are creating kinetic energy (figure1). You motion your hands over the wand, but never touch the wand (figure 2). After a few seconds the wand rolls away from you across the table. (figure 3) Let the audience member hand it back to you because there is no gimmick: no strings, no wires, no hidden anything!
figure 1
figure 2
figure 3
This is way easy! You just have to build up a lot of suspense and get the viewers attention on your hands and the wand. Once you have done that give a quick quiet puff of air from your lips (figure 4) aimed at the wand. It will roll away from you. Do not repeat! Remember...a QUIET puff! It helps if the room is noisy or has music going on!
figure 4
Floating Wand: ala Bill Jackson
You interlock your fingers and show them front and back while you hold the wand in your mouth. With the interlocked hands you take the wand with your thumbs and then let go. The wand floats back and forth behind your hands, visibly a inch or two from the hands.(figures 1, 2, 3,4 )
figure 1
figure 2
figure 3
figure 4
Pictures are worth a thousand words. The series of pictures below tell the story!
figure 5
figure 6
figure 7
figure 8
figure 9
From figure 5 to 6 you will need to bring your two middle fingers in to the palm side just like the old "this is the curch this is the steeple...."but with only the two fingers. This is the only part that will require a bit of practice to do so the audience won't be able to tell you did it. You also have to watch your angles (no one standing behind you or too close on the sides.
Make sure your other fingers pull tight and don't give up the fact that you are pulling in the middle fingers. Mirror practice will help you make it look natural.
Figure 6 shows the fingers pulled in...you wouldn't show the audience that you are doing this.
Figure 7 shows you placing the wand into the grip of the thumbs...you are also getting a grip with your hidden middle fingers.(figure 8) Figure 9 shows you the fingers' grip from your view.
figure 10
figure 11
figure 12
figure 13
figure 14
Figure 10 -12 show the hands tilted so you can see the fingers' grip. Notice in figure 10 you are holding the wand with both thumbs at first. Dramatically let go with one thumb (figure 11) then both (figure 12) then move it back and forth by moving your middle fingers back and forth.
To end it grab the wand with your mouth or drop it and then show your interlocked hands again front and back remembering to put your middle fingers back in the fold before you turn your hands palm-out.
Balancing Wand: ala Bill Jackson
You place your wand on your index finger. It wobbles but doesn't fall. You then toss it from your index finger to yur middle finger. Then to your ring finger, and back again. Each toss it wobbles but never falls. You take the wand off your index finger and hand it out to be inspected. (figures 1, 2, 3 )
figure 1
figure 2
figure 3
Bill is bold and you will need to be too. You will first need to make a really easy gimmick. Figures 4 and 5 show you the gimmick and the paper clip you make it out of.
figure 4
figure 5
Notice the large paper clip is straightened then bent to fit around your thumb (figure 4). Figure 5 shows haw it goes on your thumb. Notice the placement on the thumb and put yours on the same way; with the upright of the gimmick along the thumb-nail. Also notice the kink or twist about a half-inch from the end. This will keep the wand from sliding all the way down the gimmick. The gimmick fits loosely in the wand to allow it to wobble when on. This gives you two things: 1. it gives you a realistic look to the balance. 2. it acts a misdirection when you are doing the trick. The wobble will attract the eye and keep eyes off the gimmick. BOLD.
figure 6
figure 7
figure 8
Start off with the gimmick on your thumb. Hold your hand like figure 1 (figure 6 from behind) and place the wand on the gimmick. Allow the wand to wobble by moving your hand like you are trying to keep it from falling...like when you really balance something.
With practice mimic a toss and move your thumb over moving the wand to the next finger and wobble. Do it again and then back again until you are back on the index finger.
The wobbling is important to keep the eyes on the wand. Your fingers will be slightly spread so the movement of the wand helps misdirect attention and hides the gimmick. You should keep the gimmick close against each finger as you perform this trick.
