The Basics and the "French Drop"

Alright, now it is time to begin. One of the most important basics to magic is known as 'misdirection'. Misdirection is when, you as the magician, gets the attention of your audience off of something that you do not want them to see. You can do this by moving your hands a lot but not in the sense that you are having a seizure or anything. By talking to them constantly through your performance and always making eye contact. If you are holding something in one hand and do not want them to know, the last thing you want to do is to keep looking at it.This skill is very important to master in order to do any of the tricks on this blog and any trick really for that matter. 'Sleight of hand' is equally as important to performing these tricks and illusions.

The first trick that uses misdirection and sleight of hand is known as the french drop. This was the first trick I ever learned and is what got me hooked on magic. It is a very easy trick to do but does take a considerable amount of time to master. The best part about learning this trick though is that you can practice it in front of the TV or anywhere really. It only involves your hands and any small object like a quarter or marble. As time goes on, you will be able to make bigger and better things 'dissapear'.

The 'French drop' is a sleight of hand that makes it look like you just made an object dissapear.

The Effect:A quarter or small object one from someone). You hold it in your left hand and your right hand than comes and grabs it and squeezes it. You then open your hand and the quarter has vanished.

ct vanishes.

The Secret: The secret to this trick is the use of the move I already mentioned 'The French Drop'. The picture in the left hand corner, is a picture of how your hands should be when about to take the quarter. You hold the object in between your left thumb or right if you are left handed and your index finger. As you are coming to grab the quarter, drop it into your palm, at the same time making sure that your opposite hand covers the drop. After the move has been completed, make to drop your hand with the coin to your side and keep your eyes on your other hand. The trick is done and all you need to do now is reveal that the coin is gone. This is by far one of the best impromptu tricks that anyone can do. The only thing I ask is that you make sure you practice it alot before you perform it for anybody and that goes for any trick.