The Genii Forum

My magic library contains all the books considered classic and essential. In addition, I have Daryl's 8 DVD encyclopedia of card magic. That said, I don't have a good source to learn how to do the various passes, especially the riffle pass. Further, I don't hang out with magicians, so taking a live lesson isn't an option. I would be amenable to paying for an online lesson, etc. Any help is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Lou

Originally posted by merlou:
My magic library contains all the books considered classic and essential. In addition, I have Daryl's 8 DVD encyclopedia of card magic. That said, I don't have a good source to learn how to do the various passes, especially the riffle pass. Further, I don't hang out with magicians, so taking a live lesson isn't an option. I would be amenable to paying for an online lesson, etc. Any help is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Lou

Lou,

I would respectfuly suggest Richard Kaufman's video "On the pass" which is excellent. This, together with his "Basic basic card technique" video have helped me to taxi along the card runway. I've a long way to go before I even get one wheel into the air, but it's been an exciting trip so far!!! Richard explains everything really clearly for the pass.

Of course, there's a huge difference between comprehension and proficiency (sigh).

Thanks for the info. Does the Kaufman video on the pass teach the invisible pass?

Originally posted by merlou:
Thanks for the info. Does the Kaufman video on the pass teach the invisible pass?

Aren't all of Mr Kaufman's passes invisible? ;)

I can't remember off hand. Try searching in Google for "On the pass" and you'll soon find an index for the tape on one of the many online sites.

Good luck!

Originally posted by merlou:
Thanks for the info. Does the Kaufman video on the pass teach the invisible pass?

I have "The Invisible Pass" book available as ebook in case you are interested: Lybrary.com

Chris Wasshuber
preserving magic one book at a time.

Lou -- "Not hanging out" with magicians doesn't mean you can't take lessons.

It just means you have to make an appointment and show up when it's lesson time, like learning the piano.

I don't hang out with magicians, either, but I made it a point to get over to Mr. Kaufman's palatial pad when it was lesson time.

I guess it's a question of how much you want something.

Matt Field

Matt,
Thanks for the lecture, but how about answering the question. Does "on the pass" contain the invisible pass?
Thanks,
Lou

merlou, it depends what you mean. There is a monograph titled "The Invisible Pass" by Hugard and Braue: it is an explanation of the a Turnover Pass. If you want to know whether my video teaches it, the answer is yes, I teach the best Turnover Pass I know, but it is not invisible from all angles.
The best pass I do on the tape, from my own personal use, is the Half-Jiggle, which is "invisible" in the sense that you can look directly at the top of the deck and not see that I have done a pass (at least, when I've had to practice a bit! :) )

Thanks,
I'm sold.

Hi Lou-I would also recommend the Ken Krenzel video on the Pass. I believe it's volume #4 in the Krenzel series. Doctor Krenzel explains and demonstrates an assortment of passes-including the Riffle Pass.

You might be wondering, "Is this Krenzel dude really good?" Well my friend, Dr. Krenzel helped Derek Dingle master it-who taught it to Richard Kaufman. ;)

I don't have a good source to learn how to do the various passes, especially the riffle pass.

Complete Works of Derek Dingle by Richard Kaufman has a detailed description of the riffle pass. If you don't have this book, it's one of the all-time classics. Another great resource is Card Classics of Ken Krenzel by Harry Lorayne

On-line video clips of various riffle passes are available at Peter Duffie's website HERE . This web page also gives links to video clips from other magicians, including Harvey Rosenthal and Steve Draun.

Good luck!
Ed

I agree with all the above references and sources. I'll also offer a few "online lesson" classic pass pointers that can be found variously in the above-mentioned books and videos.

1. Hold the break along the right side, not at the back of the deck. The right fingers cover the breach in front (Krenzel).

2. Pull the top half of the deck to the right, i.e., across, rather than down.

3. You can jiggle, riffle, dip or do any number of things with your hands to hide the action, but just be aware that these actions draw attention to the hands, which isn't where you want attention to be. It's not wrong, per se, it's just something to be aware of.

4. One interesting illusion is that if you bow the deck, i.e., squeeze with the right hand so the deck goes concave, and then do the pass as you release the pressure, it hides the telltale flash of the lower-left corner without having to lift, tilt or dip.

And, of course, there's always the double cut. ;)

Jay Sankey's Sankey-tized vol 2. is also a good source. Ken Krenzel has a tape solely on passes, originally from Videonics and recently re-released. The Jim Swain tapes cover passes in all their forms.

You all should take a look at the new Genii (with Shade on the cover).

There's an amazing riffle pass by Harvey Rosenthal and Steve Draun, the 3 A.M. Shift.

Don't forget the awesome Midnight Shift from Steve Drauns book, Secrets Draun from Underground.

Michael Vincent
London

The term "invisible pass" certainly is controversial.

I have a video you might want to look at, demonstrating the Half a Jiggle pass Richard referred to. It's great fun to practice!

I hope I do the move justice, being somewhat isolated from other magicians I have never seen it performed.

http://81.6.252.184/vids.htm

P.S. It's on a personal web server, but should be available most of the time.

Hi Paul

I think it looks great.

Best Wishes

Peter

Thanks for your kind words. I just noticed that damn botom card squeezed out at the end, not a feature I'd recommend! :rolleyes:

Lou, Another great book on the pass is by Gary Ouellet called "The Pass".It is a very detailed account of how to learn the pass, move by move. Check it out, I think you may like this book. Roy McIlwee.

Originally posted by Roy McIlwee:
Lou, Another great book on the pass is by Gary Ouellet called "The Pass".It is a very detailed account of how to learn the pass, move by move. Check it out, I think you may like this book. Roy McIlwee.

I agree that this is a great book. Though, it doesn't really explain the riffle pass. It only describes it vaguely in passing.

Unfortunately Gary Ouellet's book teaches the central covering action of my Half-Jiggle Pass with no credit. I remember quite well teaching it to Gary, so I was rather disappointed when the book came out to hear him praising the work of so many others for their passes, yet appropriating my ideas!

Richard, I just dug up my Ouellet book and he gives you credit on p. 63 for "the arc of the right hand." Isn't that your covering action, or am I just confused?