13 STEPS TO MENTALISM
After my recent hospitalisation I decided I’d revisit some of my older books, well to be perfectly honest this was something I’d been meaning to do for quite some time but as always life just seems to keep spinning me around in different directions.
Well now I have plenty of time so the 13 Steps to Mentalism by Tony Corinda felt like a great place to start my visits.
When you take that first step into the dark side
You will probably start to wonder how you’ll get by without your sponge bunnies, 2 metres of rope and a coin unique.
You’ll desperately search for answers to questions like:
How do I go from being ‘that magic guy’
To an unbelievably weird but really cool mind reader guy with a full pelt?
You’ll no doubt be pointed in the direction of The 13 steps to mentalism by many who have trodden this path before.
Upon first reading this book, you may think that it’s a little outdated. I get it, I thought that too, and it’s something that comes up time and time again but remember what that little weird alien guy said to Arnie?
So lets open our minds and get stuck in to 13 steps.
WARNING:
This is a long review, so I’ve put a TLDR at the bottom!
Just before we take the first step, you may want to check out
Tony Corinda’s bio? If so just click the picture below:
Step 1: SWAMI
I’ve never used a swami/nail writer before. It’s something which never interested me, and I’ve never actually been in a position where I had a need for one. Although now I am starting to see why I should maybe at least try it out.
The first step is broken down into 3 sections.
Part 1: The different types of swami
You may be surprised to learn just how many different types of swami there is out there in the magiverse, I know I was. Not only will you learn about the different types of swamis but you’ll also learn where to conceal it and this largely depends upon what point in the routine you decide you’re going to use it.
Part 2: Technique
This section covers the positioning of your swami and checking it to make sure that it fits and writes perfectly, once you’ve done this you actually can then start to practise writing with the swami.
I know what you’re thinking right now…
Really?
Well I am a mentalist!
You’re thinking: Why would I need to practise? It’s just writing!
You’re right, it is just writing but it’s also writing unnaturally.
So of course you should practise it. Unless you want it to look like you’re trying to defuzz a coconut with one hand?
Part 3: Tricks
Now we’re getting into the good stuff. Here you’ll find a bunch of really cool mind reading miracles. You’ll find routines using envelopes, playing cards, coins, a newspaper and even a dartboard. They’re all described briefly, giving you just enough juice to spark your imagination and get you thinking about how you can incorporate these ideas into your performances.
Step 2: PENCIL, LIP, SOUND, TOUCH AND MUSCLE READING
To be honest, I didn’t even want to bother reading this chapter, my thinking was I’m probably never going to use any of these techniques, and I probably wont but I did say I’d revisit the 13 steps…
So in for a penny and all that!
Have I changed my mind? Will I now consider pencil reading or any of the other techniques described in this chapter?
Well after reading this chapter I wouldn’t mind exploring muscle reading but I’m not in a hurry to do that as there is still so many other areas of mentalism I’m interested in. I will say this though:
There is a lot to be gained from reading this chapter and if any of these areas interest you, then this is a great starting point.
STEP 3: MNEMONICS AND MENTAL SYSTEMS
If you’re anything like me, you didn’t pay much attention at school. So words like mnemonics, phonetics, algebra and stuff mean absolutely f…
Yes we get it, you didn’t go to school but can you just please get on with this flippin’ review?
Ok, keep your hair on!
The 3rd step covers mnemonics, which in a nutshell are just memory systems. Now this chapter I found especially interesting as poor memory is something I’ve suffered with for a long time.
Learning to increase your memory is not only great exercise for your brain but it’s helpful when you’re trying to learn any new set of skills or tricks.
Memory stunts or displays, if you prefer to call them that? Can be very impressive to watch. As well as learning how to apply the mnemonic system you’ll learn a few cool memory stunts/tricks in this chapter and honestly they’re actually not that difficult to perform.
Give it a go and before you know it you’ll be entering the memory Olympics. Unless you’re like my friend who forgot to submit his application in time… True story!
STEP 4: PREDICTIONS
We all love a good prediction, don’t we?
Well I do!
There’s nothing quite like an over hyped prediction. Whether it’s the outcome of a football match or the lottery numbers, predictions grab our attention and this chapter is jam packed full of them!
This step is separated into 4 sections:
Part 1: Introduction
As the title suggests this is your introduction to predictions, it also discusses the value and very nature of predictions, not much else to say here really, but it’s definitely an interesting read.
Part 2: Technique
This section is 14 pages long and goes into the techniques used for some different types of predictions as well as some of the types of gimmicks used.
Part 3: Predictions for the stage
This section gives no less than 8 routines perfectly suited for the stage. What’s this I hear you cry: I don’t do stage work.
Me neither! But with a bit of creative thinking you can easily adapt these routines to suit your preferred style. Rest assured, out of the 8 there’s bound to be at least one that suits you here. My personal favourite is the £75,000 test.
Part 4: Predictions for the drawing room
What in the friggity foobasha is a drawing room, You may enquire.
Friggity what?
It doesn’t matter. A drawing room is…
Where Morph lives!
Really?
No, I’m taking the p…
Never mind!
I’m not entirely sure what a drawing room is but I think the idea of performing in a drawing room situation would be a close up or a personal encounter. Therefore I would think that performing in a drawing room would be the same as table hopping.
This section is also crammed with routines/tricks and even brings into play the swami from step one. Check it out, I’m absolutely certain you’ll love step four, I know I did.
STEP 5: BLINDFOLDS AND X-RAY EYES
As with the previous step, this one really excited me.
I just love a bit of roleplay…
Wooah, wrong blog!
Oops. Sorry… Step 5 has a wonderful sidenote on logic which actually made me chuckle. It is then broken down into 3 sections.
Part 1: Types
After a short introduction to blindfolds you’ll then discover some different types of blindfolds which even includes a bucket!
Part 2: Technique
Again this obviously covers the techniques involved whilst wearing a blindfold. There’s so much going on in this section and I truly believe that these techniques are the real gold here.
Part 3: Tricks
Pretty self explanatory really.
You will learn 13 well actually 12 tricks.
The 13th trick I’m referring to is driving with a blindfold but Corinda says you’ll learn that in step 12. An absolute gem in this section is Corinda’s money box, which seems like a fantastic trick and it even has detailed instructions of how to make your own.
STEP 6: BILLETS
Here we go, some real juicy mentalism stuff right here… Billets!
Like military sleeping quarters?
Well it’s spelt the same way but the billets we’re talking about are small pieces of paper or card which are used by a spectator to write information on, then folded into quarters.
The mentalist can then accurately reveal the information, seemingly without opening it up.
The first section of this step has a short introduction, then dives right into the techniques used when working with billets.
There’s very detailed instructions and diagram thingys which clearly explain everything you need to know.
The second section covers tricks and routines and there’s more tricks in this section than a spider has legs!
Whole books have been written on billet work but there’s enough material in step 6 to keep you busy for a very long time.
You still here?
Great. You’ve made it half way through, that’s real dedication…
Cheers Roy
Note to you reader: Go and make yourself a brew and have 5 minutes before reading any further, you’ve earned it.
STEP 7: BOOK TESTS AND SUPPLEMENT
Anyone who knows me will know that I have a real love for book tests, so once again I got excited…
This step starts off with a complete routine by Corinda, whilst it is a book test it is also very theatrical and Corinda urges the reader to perform it as it is presented in the book.
There’s a lovely magazine test in there which will require some gimmicking on your part but I think it will definitely be worth the effort.
There’s an impromptu book test and seven other book tests in this step. Totalling no less than ten tests. He finishes off with a summary before moving into the supplement, which is an interview with the sensational master mentalist Maurice Fogel.
STEP 8: TWO PERSON TELEPATHY
This has to be my favourite step in the whole book. I appreciate it’s not for everyone but my wife and I are in the midst of creating our own two person telepathy act.
Well we were, right up until I had my accident and now everything is on hold. Even if you have no desire to perform with a partner, reading through this step and absorbing the information will give you loads of ideas as well as helping to give you a greater understanding of mentalism.
As I’m sure you’re aware, there’s quite a lot of memory work involved in these types of acts as the information has to be coded but it looks amazing when it’s done well. This eighth step has more than enough information to get you started and even provides eight full routines for you.
STEP 9: MEDIUMISTIC STUNTS
This was another chapter that surprised me. Although I quite enjoy mediumship and psychic phenomena, I didn’t think this step would be of much interest. There’s three sections in this step.
Part 1: Technique
After the introduction, Corinda discusses mediumistic patter which is basically using the correct language or terminology and delivering your speech as dramatically as possible. Makes perfect sense really as you are essentially playing the part of a psychic.
He also touches on setting the scene for a séance as well as the stage medium.
Part 2: Physical phenomena
This section reveals many methods for reproducing physical phenomena, such as spirit writing, spirit candles, ectoplasm, table lifts, fireballs and even organising a ghost walk.
Section 3: Mental phenomena
I suppose this is what you might consider paranormal tests or tricks. If I’m to be totally honest I’m not too sure what the difference between mental and physical phenomena is?
They’re both tricks used my mediums or fake psychics.
Now I could be totally wrong
The jury’s still out on this one…
I think I should read step 9 again as it has been a little over a week since I last read it.
STEP 10: CARD TRICKS
20 different card tricks you’re getting here.
I thought that might get your attention!
No need to panic, they don’t all use playing cards.
I mean some of them do but they’re a far cry from:
Pick a card, any card… No not that one!
There is tricks that use ESP and alphabet cards too.
There really is enough material in this chapter to do a full show and do you want to know the best part?
None of them require any crazy funky finger moves!
STEP 11: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (READINGS)
Q&A is a part of mentalism that never really interested me until about 10 years ago when I saw Luke Jermay perform a Q&A show at a small intimate cabaret club with maybe only 30 people in attendance. Luke absolutely blew me away with his performance and I’ve had an obsession with it ever since. I’ve bought downloads, PDF’s, books, DVD’s and even books with DVD’s.
I’ve watched hours upon hours of mentalists discussing Q&A.
Some of them have been great to read and some have been great to watch but nothing beats going to see a master mentalist performing the Q&A live. I was pleasantly surprised by step 11, there’s so much going in this chapter and I don’t think my words could ever do it justice.
STEP 12: PUBLICITY STUNTS
Let’s just take a moment to look how far you’ve come. So far you’ve:
1: Used a swami to write down a name that someone merely thought of.
2: Practised pencil reading and discovered that most people draw willys!
3: Memorised when your partners birthday is.
4: Predicted the outcome of a local football match.
5: Discovered a new reason to visit Ann Summers.
6: Have a loyalty card for your local stationery shop.
7: bought the Frankenstein book test, because it’s still the best on the market!
8: Been threatened with divorce for pestering your significant other to start a two person telepathy act with you.
9: Wrapped up in your nan’s curtains and hosted a chat show for the dearly departed.
10: Learnt some mega cool tricks with playing cards and ESP cards.
11: Learnt how to perform a Q&A act.
You’re now a fully fledged mentalist, but there’s still a piece of the pie missing. You’re probably wondering how you’ll get people to notice you?
Well look no further as step 12 is like a crash course in marketing for the mentalist. All of the ideas in this step are still relevant today and Corinda first started writing the 13 steps in 1957!
STEP 13: PATTER AND PRESENTATION
You’ve gotten this far, give yourself a pat on the back, you’ve muddled your way through and learnt some amazingly awesome mentalism. You’ve got ideas and tricks that will serve you for a lifetime. All you need now is some presentation skills and the gift of the gab!
Once again Tony’s got you covered…
This step is a treasure trove of useful information, covering everything from misdirection, personal appearance to your mannerisms and speech. The true essentials of what makes a good performance.
TLDR: For all you skippers…
No not boat drivers!
The ones who skipped down to this section:
When you buy this book and you most definitely should, you’re not only buying one of the most impactful books ever written on mentalism, you’re getting a complete instruction manual on how to become a complete well rounded mentalist.
I know at first you’ll find it a little bit difficult to read but persevere with it and as you start to make your way through the book things will start to make more sense to you.
Don’t just skip to the tricks or you risk missing out on all
THE JUICY STUFF!
I appreciate that this was a very long post to read so I just want to say thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings and while you’re here why don’t sign up for The Mind Unmasked newsletter.
I’ll see you on the next one!
Stay Weird
ЯYΛП MΣПƬIƧ
International Man of Mischief