I can second that, I had no previous knowledge of rope magic, but picked up the routine *extremly* quickly, it was very well taught and gave insight on even basic moves like the Prof. Nightmare count that I've seen other performers(good ones) flub up on.

Fiber Optics is a highly visual routine that is really fun to perform and easy to pick up.

Check it out, it is perfect for so many reasons! It is also a great "middle" material, It is a really entertaining and visual routine that you can throw in to your show in-between the really "hard hitters". Finding material like that which works for you is really hard, and this really fits the bill.

I'm voting for Daryl's Rope Routine (which is based on George Sands). I have seen that play very well for children and adults, it resets instantly, and is easily embellishable (is that a word?).

Richard's rope rountine is outstanding. I had the pleasure to see it at a lecture and some phases even fooled me. The subtleties are awesome as well.

I don't understand how it involves a baby though.

Two thumbs way up.

TJ

As for the scissorless cut, it probably depends a lot on the story line. On Flip's "Truly Magical Rope Magic" video, he uses the scissorless cut for "Flip's Routine". Since his routine makes continual reference to the "power within" and "unifying power principles" and all the mystical strength he gained from his first teacher in magic, a finger-snap cut makes sense. Also important is that the cut itself is not dwelt upon--it happens quickly and naturally within the emerging story.

John

I can't believe people are just skimming over the name Tabary! like he's nothing! Have you actually done the Tabary act for anyone? If you have, boring is not the reactions you get from a truly baffling piece of rope magic. Oh yeah, he won a FISM with this act of his. I did this for my mom about 2 years ago, when I first learned it, she still talks about to this day! That's why I stay away from reading these types of forums too much. People are jaded, and everyone knows what's best. I still can't get over people saying Tabary's act IS BORING! And I guess your 60 phase oil and water isn't? Oh no, I know, how about your ultra fast and confusing reset variation, yeah laymen love those variations! Hey people magic is for laymen.

Eliakim9- With all the coca cola we consume and the suger additives and MSG and crap the gov controlled FDA puts in our food the average attention span is... wait who said Tabery's routine is boring? Slow maybe but not boring.

(Hope ya'll caught the joke.)

14 years (ish) ago when I got Tabery's two elegant rope magic tapes, I said to myself I'm going to need to change this around and speed it up. I never actually worked on it past that thought. shame on me. however I do another rope routine which hasn't been mentioned here so I think I should shutup about it. Maybe it's time to revisit his tapes and see what comes out.

Craig

Does anyone know how much (all, I hope) material from Tabary's book is on the DVD's?

Thanks,
Michael

LOL!

Just had to call attention to that comment....I found it halarious!!

Richard Sander's FIBER OPTICS gave my rope magic the boost it need. I thought it was one of my best rope magic purchases ever.

Aldo's routines, "Mamma Mia Rope Routine" and "Tightrope" are both very good and very inexpensive. He also has a great booklet, "On the Ropes" with some teriffic stuff. many of the other sources mentioned above are also excellent, as is Slydini's routine. Bruce Cervon has a great short routine in "Ultra Cervon." Peter vanSpauwen's routine is in the book "Belgian Blockbusters," available directly from me for $25. It's off the beaten path. Flip's stuff is great, as is Pavel's.

For low budgets, the Abbott's Encyclopedia by Stewart james is excellent, and Karl Fulves' "Self-Working Rope Magic," while a misnomer, is very good as well.

No comments about Richard Sander's DVD FIBER OPTICS? I thought it was full of some of the most visual rope magic I've seen in a long time. A lot of Tabary influence with comedy and speed.

My slight variation of Daryl's rope routine. Daryl's rope routine is packed with magic, I recommend it highly.

ollie

From the date on the original post, it appears I'm a "Johnny come lately". Anyway, I was extremely impressed with Dick Williams UnGimmicked Miracle Linking Ropes. Tie three ropes together, each individually and watch them link themselves together without any manipulation of the knots. NO MAGNETS. Pure magic. And the best part is they can be used over and over again. They can be purchased for $22.50 from http://www.stevensmagic.com
I love em.

Pax Mentis

I'm using Three Ropes and A Baby with slight variation added from Daryl's rope routine.

They are both excellent as well as the Tabary's.

Richard Sander's Fiber optics is one of the best rope routines in my opinion. I saw it at a lecture a while back before I was into rope magic and was utterly amazed by it.

Has anyone seen John Zander's routine called "Loose Ends"? If so, any comments?

Loose Ends is very good and not hard to do.

I highly recommend "The Mongolian Pop-Knot" by Whit Haydn.

Been making a living with it since 1969.

I , uh, second(?) tabary's rope routine.
his teaching, although you may think that its slow, is just right if you are new to rope magic and are trying to follow whats going on the screen with the rope in your hands.

I ran through the performance once, skipped to the explnation, and spent about 40 minutes on the routine before the level of performance was enough for me that id perform in public.

I added in my own patter, burrowed some from tabary, and the reaction was very good.

I noticed only a passing reference to John Zander's Loose Ends routine. This is one of my singature walk-around pieces. It's easy to master and you can audibly hear the jaws hit the ground as you go through the routine. I especialy love the shock & laughter I get as the ends pop off into a little girl or boy's hands. This is a great street & restaurant bit that fits easily in a back pocket and resets instantly. I'm genuinely surprised that it hasn't been recommended before this.