I have some rings, both 10" and 4". Both sets are non-locking. Can someone suggest very basic instructions for working with them?

Hi Gomerel--If I were you, I'd pick up Levent's DVD on the Linking Rings. It is a thorough treatise on the rings. Bob White also has an interesting DVD on this prop. Good luck.

Thanks, Leo! White is probably more withing my budget.

Ordered the White dvd from Penguin considerably cheaper that what other vendors are charging. I'm looking forward to working with it.

You might want to check our Whit Haydn's "Comedy 4 Ring Linking Ring Routine" DVD. One of the BEST routines available!!!

Mark.

Don't forget the book of Pete Biro!

Still available from http://www.stevensmagic.com

Thanks. I'll keep Biro and Levent in mind. Right now, I need to take baby steps.

Whit Haydn is a hoot. I have seen it performed well several times. Not quite where I want to go though.

Roger Klause's routine with 4 rings is detailed in the book "In Concert." It's a fabulous, easy to do routine - I've had a set of rings for nearly 30 years and it's the routine I still turn to.

Oscar

Pete Biro is the expert on many effects and was part of the jury at FISM with Ascanio. The Chinese Linking Ring and the C&Bs are definitely not -in the least- one of his weak spot in magic.

Thank you Lawrence.

I'm working my way through Chinese Linking Rings by Bob White. It seems perfect for a beginner. The price from Penguin was excellent and the dvd arrived two days after I ordered it. http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S8542

The Bob White routine is excellent, but so too is the other classic book by Dariel Fitzkee called 'Rings In Your Fingers' - it runs anywhere between $30-$40/USD, depending on where you get it from. It is complete with everything from the basics all the way through some more advanced routines.

When your budget allows, I also recommend both the Levent DVD set and the Pete Biro book.

The routine Bob performs at the start of his DVD is basically Vernon's Symphony of the Rings. Bob does it exceptionally well and has extra tips and touches he has added. This DVD is a Masterclass by a top pro. His apparent passing the key for examination at the end is a brilliant addition. I have been doing the Vernon routine since 1975 and I learnt a lot from Bob. You have made an excellent investment.

Funny story. Barry Sinclair in Dublin performed the six ring routine he had been taught by Ken Brooke. I had seen him perform it many times and he did it very well.
One day, I decided to go into magician mode and follow the moves. To my surprise, he was also doing the Vernon routine. His presentation was so different to mine I hadn't realised we were both doing the same routine.

Got tired of White. ("Don't hand big old rings to a delicate little debutante." Not an exact quote.) Gave DVD to a young magician.

Essentials in Magic - Linking Rings by Daryl is a steal. He is an excellent teacher.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S14631

Chris Capehart's The Rings is a bit pricey for one routine. But classic and well taught.
http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/S18679

Not interested in books, no matter how wonderful they may be.

Oh dear. Admittedly, some books are not at all wonderful, but I've had great results from Hugard's routine in Modern Magic Manual (and also in Greater Magic). I could suggest other books too ... and also one to avoid.

Barry

Al Schneider's Ring Routine is worth considering as he uses the triple instead of the double.

Several moves can be incorporated into any routine.

Also check out the effect in "Irresistible ..." by Duraty just released (translated by Laurence O)

I will resurrect Mark's early recommendation for Whit (Pop) Haydn's 4-ring routine if you are interested in something that does not use the full set of 8 but carries as much or more entertainment than most traditional routines. It's WONDERFUL!

http://www.popsmagic.com/store/p28/Pop_H......DEO.html

Yes, I recently downloaded Pop's routine. And despite what I said above, I think I may learn it. The main character I do is similar to and inspired by Pop. So why wouldn't I do that routine? It is a bargain at $15.

The routine isn't very hard. Really much more comedy than magic. That's why I have been concentrating on videos that teach the moves.

I LOVE books. They just don't help me with magic. And, yeah, yeah, all the old timers had to work their way through books. I don't have to.