Denny
I only say HEY to my friends. If I don't like you I say "dear sir"

You can find Snapknot on The Dennis Loomis Knot Routine...Plus! DVD. It's at the end of the DVD.

As an aside, I noticed that Mary Mowder was in the audience for L&L's taping of Richard Osterlind's latest DVDs.



Curt

Curt,
Yes, Bill Spooner was kind enough to perform and teach his "Snapknot" as a guest performer on that DVD. When I asked him, I didn't have much hope that he would do it... I thought he might want to release it himself. You can only appreciate it's difficulty if you try to master it yourself.

Mary Mowder and her SO, Tom Allen, are at most of the L & L shoots and you'll spot her in the audience on many DVDs. There are a few good lady magicians, but Mary is one of the best when it comes to sleight of hand. One thing that she does blows me away: she holds a deck of cards in her right hand and throws it behind her back over her left shoulder. As it comes into view, it has split into two parts and she catches them, one in each hand, and makes two cards fans.

To FRIEND Al, I call my friends "Hey You." They call me dennisloomis.com.

To Seadawg, the clip I mentioned from Lubbock was actually on the Knot Routine DVD. While I am planning a couple more DVDs, they will not be on Knots.

Dennis Loomis

Denny baby
I only say "hey you" in McDonalds. Please excuse my East Coast familiarity. When I visited Mexico I didn't know how to take it when men talked to me with their hand on my shoulder. I then I found out it was a sign of friendship, and sincerity.

Hey, thanks very much, Pete.

MagicSanta- very welcome. Appreciate your comment.

Dennis- Thanks so much for all of your advice- appreciated, indeed. I'll look into the Butterfly/ Eskimo yo-yo, might be checking out your DVD sometime.
For now, still working on snapping a knot with a rope in each hand. And the cowboy hat on my head.

... and spurs that jingle jangle on your boots?

Maybe.

magicalaurie,

Outstanding! Keep us posted on the progress on the two-handed project.

Bob Sanders
Magic Valley Ranch

PS --- Being raised by cowboys, my advice received was always "Climb up in your hat, Take a deep seat, and Keep your mind in the middle". Go for it!

Lucy and I will be up that way the end of September. Hope we get to see you.

Thanks very much, Bob.

Hi Lurie well done,,,,,
try using a softer cord and you should be able to do the effect without the knot that's on the end,,,,,,

vinny

In chapter 3 of my new hardcover book I teach the move as part of a the Comedy Rope and Ring routine. This is a finesse move and I don't use any abrupt snapping or whipping of the rope. It's all done with the wrist and shoulder and I do it with the soft rope we magicians usually use. You can also see it done on the companion DVD that comes with Kingdom of the Red. See link below:

Larry
Is there a demo of your technique? I do not use the same method that Laurie uses, but how many ways is there to skin a cat. I can do it 95% of the time using Dennis's technique, with the rope he recommends. How consistent is your technique, exactly what kind of rope do you use. How many people use your method? Dennis has hundreds of satisfied customers. If you are going to reinvent the wheel please give us a sample.

I got to meet Dennis Loomis at Magic LIVE in Vegas last week. I finally could thank him in person for putting out this terrific DVD on ropes.

I also told him how much I liked the Wicked Booktest and the routines he provides with it.

Gee...I must have sounded like a big fan.

To RC4MAG,
I enjoyed meeting you very much. Thanks again for your kind words.

MAGIC LIVE was wonderful. Got to renew so many old friendships and to meet many new friends as well as customers of my online website. Not to mention all of the wonderful talks, lectures and performances.

My best to all.

Dennis Loomis

The Zen of Rope Snapping:

I found, when practicing snapping the knot with both hands, that it helped to look at a spot on the floor about three feet in front of me with both hands in my peripheral vision, concentrating a bit more on my least dominant (left) hand.

The term "snapping" implies a quick movement but (at least for me) a slower excecution works better. I also begin with the ropes draped over my forefingers.

Ask for three chances. If you get it right away...great! If you miss one or even two it builds suspense, and brings them to their feet when you make it the third time.

Occasionally I will go through a period when I can't get both knots. It is very frustrating and is usually because I get too sure of myself and don't concentrate before executing the snap, or new ropes etc.

Nothing helps but practice, practice and more practice.


Andy

To Andy,
Your focus technique is the kind of thing that great athletes do when preparing for repetitive tasks like shooting a free throw. There is a mind set that you can achieve which helps you to consistently do exactly the same movements to (hopefully) get the same results every time. I don't think the specifics of where you look are particularly important, just that you relax into the mind set and do everything the same every time.

It helps me to stand relaxed in exactly the same position and then to take a couple of deep breaths and to be aware of my breathing.

It's the consistancy of the mind set and everything you do just before each attempt that's important. And, of course, lots of practice.

Today is the anniversary of my birth... if you want to know how old I am... I just caught up to Paul McCartney again, as I do each August 31st.

So yes, I'm a Virgo. But then, Virgo's don't believe in Astrology.

Dennis Loomis

Thank you Dennis and a very Happy Birthday!

Yes, the mindset and repetitive movements make all the difference. I will try the relaxation technique you mention. I rarely miss anymore, but taking a deep breath may further improve the odds.

I know how old you are now, and you're just a puppy! I was born on the very day the Social Security Act was signed into law. Now you know how old I am.

My best to you and thanks again for the knot routine!

Andy

:birthday:

Andy & Dennis
I'm a professional juggler, I do things easily with my left hand that most people would never try, but you two can do the snap knot with both hands at the same time, and I am mega jealous.

Dennis
I'll be 62 in a couple weeks, so this must be you 66th. Congradulations buddy, and I wish you many, many more.

Happy Birthday Dennis.

Dan

Thanks for the Birthday wishes guys. Al... don't rush things... I'm not 66 yet. Just a "little bitty wog" of 64. You might recall, earlier in the year, that there was a bit of a fuss when Paul McCartney hit his 64th because years ago he had written a song called "When I'm 64."

Andy, breath control is a common relaxation technique. It's used by athletes, hypnotherapists, and anyone trying to totally relax. Many stress that you breath in through the nose and then breath out through the mouth. I can't swear that's really necessary, but I am reasonably sure that relaxation helps these physical skills. Another common technique used by athletes is visualisation. Before the free throw, you see the ball go through the hoop in your mind. Possibly it works because it creates confidence. And confidence seems to aid physical skills as well.

Happy Holiday to all. Drive safely.

When you think about the high cost of gas... look at it this way: It's a good reason to stay at home and practice instead of going out and frittering away your time on things like being with friends and family. ;-)

Dennis Loomis