On page 13 of desTROYers, Joshua Jay wrote something that completely changed how I perform (I know, I think it’s strange that he’d say something insightful too!). In a section within the chapter “Commentary” labeled “…Troy Touch” he describes Troy Hooser’s technique this way:

“The first noticeable difference in Troy’s work is his unique touch. He grips objects with an effortless, light grip that actually produces the illusion of weightlessness within the handled objects. It is often surprising to examine heavy silver dollars after Troy has performed because they appear like feathers in his hands, jumping about in an animated fashion, as if carried by the wind.”

This description struck me because of how well it portrayed a kind of beauty that I was seeking in my work. And while I’ve never gotten to see Hooser perform live, nor have I conferred with him about how he achieved this quality (or even if he thinks it’s accurate), it made me think about how I could find it in my own manipulations, particularly in my sleight specialty, coins (sorry card-cunts, you’ll have to sit this one out). And, of course, it took a while to show, but given the ways in which my manipulation has been complimented since this work started, I’d like to think I have some semblance of it. So here’s how I did it:

Grab a coin. The bigger the better. Hold it between the tips of your thumb and first finger, in a similar position as you would for a Retention Vanish. Loosen your grip until it’s just before the point where the coin falls out.

Now, very slowly, tilt the coin back and forth. Pay very close attention to how the weight redistributes between the fingers, how the force lands closer to the tip of the thumb and further back on the first finger when tipped back, and vice versa when tipped forward. Keep doing this, studying it as much as you can bear. I know this seems tedious and dumb, but we’re chasing beauty, and beautiful service requires utmost attention to detail.

Once you find yourself in this mode, practice the simulated action of a sleight you want to perform. I’ll be using the Retention Vanish as an example, so practice actually putting the coin into the opposite hand in a Retention Vanish style. Do this a number of times, paying attention to the weight of the coin and where it is felt, until you have a good sense of it.

From here, move onto your actual sleight, e.g. a Retention Vanish. Again, feel all the little ways the coin’s weight shifts around during execution, and practice until it feels solidly understood. Now, to properly finalize the sleight, the aim is to combine the gestures and weight-feel of the simulated action with the actual movement of the sleight. Take time on this. Poise is the name of the game.

This idea doesn’t have to be done with every coin, card, egg, whatever sleight you do. Practicing one is more about getting a feel for weight so you can be more cognizant of it in every day practice. When done well, the beauty of your movements while performing shall surpass that of the greatest masterpieces of the world (or something like that, I don’t know, I’m just a dumbass magician). Have fun getting the touch.