Michael Ammar - 3rd world lecture notes.pdf - M - animga

Michael Ammar's

Third National Tour

Notes

CONTENTS

Ring on Rubberband

Broken and Restored Rubberband

T.V. Thumbtip Finesse

Haley's Comet

Coins Thru Silk

Pencil Thru Quarter

Continuing the action, the left hand lets go of the ring, as

the thumb pushes the rubber band away from you. with the

thumb above the ring, as in Figure 2. The right thumb and

index finger now pinch together, and twist clockwise. When

you do this, the end of the band slips off of the right thumb.

Michael Ammar

RING BAND-IT

Effect

A ring is borrowed and a rubber band is examined. After it has

been confirmed that everything is as it should be. the ring is

then visibly linked onto the rubber band, and then visibly

snapped off three different times. In each case the linking is

done in full view, and the ring is clearly seen to be linked onto

the band.

To conclude, a pseudo explanation is given as to how the

ring links onto the band, by breaking, and then visibly

restoring the rubber band. Everything, of course, is examined

at the end. with nothing to ditch or conceal.

Comments

This has grown into my favorite impromptu routine these days.

The concept belongs to Bill Kalush. who showed me his

Rubber Ringer routine years ago. and which Richard Kaufman

printed in Richard's Almanac in September. 1983. I loved the

effect, but could only remember the key grip he used to create

the illusion of the ring linked to the rubber band.

I toyed with the handling for some time, and eventually

came up with six different phases for linking and unlinking the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

and onto the index finger, giving you the position shown in

Figure 3. As you will notice, the band creates an x as it is

pinched between the thumbs and forefingers of both hands,

with the ring resting inside the left section of the x

ring, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. 1

eventually narrowed it down to the three phases included here.

The great news is that after 1 showed these to several friends,

they in turn improved further on the ideas to the point that I

am ecstatic with the results. Everything fits together just as 1

like it to. with each phase building upon the next, both

confirming links and cancelling techniques. If you only work

on one new impromptu, close-up/stand-up routine this year.

make it this one!

The right middle finger now goes into the section of the x

that contains the ring, and works it over to the right, as in

Figure 4. (Don't go into the right side of the x. as I constantly

tried to do. because this won't work. For a long time 1 was just

a quarter of an inch away from The Missing Link!") This

allows the right thumb and index finger to gnp together what

will be the two ends of the band. When done correctly, you will

end up with the situation shown in Figure 5.

Procedures

The ideal rubber band to use for the routine is a # 19. 3-1/2"

(9 cm) in length by 1/32"(I mm) by 1/16" (2 mm). Certain

finger rings are better than others for the most deceptive

linking. I do not use rings with large stones, or large class

rings. These, because of the way you have to hold the ring and

band during the linking, prevent a clear view of the rubber

band passing through the center of the ring. The best rings are

also relatively thin at their most narrow points, allowing you to

easily pinch the rubber band around the ring for certain

displays.

Phase One

This is the phase I worked hardest to perfect, yet I still fell prey

to Vernons observation — "Magicians stop thinking too

soon!"

It took Mike Giles from Visalia. California, to come up with

what was literally "The Missing Link". Basically, you will be

doing the handling from Harry Lorayne's "Snap" from

Reputation Makers, but doing it with the ring on the center of

the rubber band.

Begin with the ring on the tip of the right index finger, and

the rubber band stretched between the index finger and thumb

of the right hand. The left hand moves the ring to the middle of

the rubber band, as shown in Figure 1.

Essentially, what you have done is to take the two loop ends

of the rubber band between the index finger and thumb of the

right hand, and the center of the band between the pinched

thumb and index finger of the left hand. By stretching the

band tight and kneeding it between the fingers, you will work

the two strands of the band together so they appear to be a

single strand. It will take a bit of work to make sure the

strands of the band are flush together, creating the perfect

illusion, but when the knack is acquired, you will be well

rewarded.

As I manipulate the rubber band and ring into this position.

I patter: "What I am about to do is to create a beautiful, but

temporary, piece of magic. Beautiful because all I have to do is

toss, and the ring visibly links onto the center of the rubber

band. As you can see. the ring is unquestionably on the center

of the rubber band, and the band is definitely through the

center of your solid ring.

"But I also said the magic is only temporary, because just

as quickly as the ring went onto the band, it also melts back

off. leaving the rubber band perfectly unharmed." The position

shown in Figure 5 is the one which "sets up" all the other

links, because in the next two phases you will be unable to let

the ring clearly dangle on the center of the band. As 1

mentioned, each phase has its own strong and weak points,

and all compliment the others.

I should also mention why 1 stress the temporary aspect in

the presentation. I do this because in many close-up situations

you might be asked to hand out the ring and band in a linked

Figure 8 shows a slight difference between this grip and the

Kalush Grip. You will now bring the right fingers back up to

grip the lower strand of the band on the side of the ring closest

I to you. However, instead of putting all three fingers through

the band, you will only insert the middle and third finger back

through the band. In this way. when you get into the final

display position, the band will apparently be looped around the

condition, to be examined. Under structured performing

situations you might not be asked to do this, but the illusion is

so strong, it would seem a natural next step to hand it all out.

However, by qualifying it up front as a temporary illusion, you

don't need to side step the issue later on.

To unlink the ring, gather the whole works into the left

hand, make a flourishy gesture, and reach into the left hand

with the right fingers. Quickly encircle all the fingers of the

right hand with the rubber band and remove the band from the

left hand with it stretched wide, still clearly unbroken. For

some time 1 ended the first phase by acting as if I had to break

the band, letting the ring slide off one end. having the band

(with both strands pulled taut as one...) snap back into the

other hand. 1 then made a gesture to restore the band, and

continued with the next two links. After long thought,

however. I'm now certain this breaking and restoration is

much, much better when saved for the kicker at the end.

Please resist the temptation to use it too soon.

"But. for all bad news, there is also good news. Although the

illusion is temporary. I've found I can do it as often as I like, so

1'll do it again for you. just in case you weren't sure about what

you may have seen."

Phase Two

In this phase, you will basically use the Kalush Grip, but with a

different lead in. penetration, and hold onto the band. Begin

with the ring deep on the left little finger, with the band

stretched between the left little finger and thumb.

The right thumb and index finger take the ring by its most

narrow point, and move it off the finger and onto the center of

the band between the two fingers — Figure 6. Still holding the

ring by the thumb and index finger, the right hand places the

middle, third, and little fingers over the bottom strand of the

band. This is done through the middle of the band, in the

section on the far side of the ring from you — Figure 7. Insert

the fingers through this section, all the way up to the second

joint of the fingers.

right little finger, instead of disappearing for no reason into

the right hand. 1 find this small difference to be quite

important.

Holding onto the ring and band in this way. you will find .

that you will be able to conceal the bottom strand of the band

along the right thumb and index finger, creating the

impression that only a single strand of the band passes

through the ring. I think Kalush's concept behind this grip

(which motivated further thoughts on the effect itself) is true

genius. Aside from the fact that the right hand has to retain

hold on the ring, this creates the perfect illusion of a borrowed

ring linked onto the center of a rubber band — Wonderful!

To unlink the ring, let go of the bottom strand of the band

on the side of the ring nearest you — Figure 11. Keep hold of

the ring with the right hand, as you also let go of the rubber

band with the left thumb. This will allow both sides of the band

to pass back through the ring. However, as you will notice, the

right index finger is contacting the band against the far side of

the ring. Keep pressing this finger and the piece of the band

against the ring. The left thumb now swings down inside the

band, where the three right fingers are still keeping it open.

The fingers move out of the way. as the left thumb pulls back

the end of the rubber band.

The right hand will need to slightly regrip the ring and band

at this point for the final display. What you have actually done

is to have maneuvered the band out of the ring and around the

back side of the ring. Now you will need to pinch the band

through the center of the ring, creating the impression that it

still passes through the center of the ring. This is actually the

same grip used in many ring and string or rope routines.

The left hand now stretches the bottom strand away from

you. causing the top. pinched strand to stretch, as if you were

going to shoot the ring from a sling shot as in Figure 12.

With the ring pointed directly at the spectators, the top of the

band seems to be pressed against the upper inside edge of the

ring. To cause what seems to be a visible penetration from the

front side of the ring, simply release the pressure on the band,

allowing it to quickly shoot around, free from the ring. Be sure

to hold the ring firmly here! When done correctly, the illusion

is perfect.

retain the tension on the lower section of the band with the left

fingers. Release the upper strand, and you will find the section

between the thumb and first finger to have the majority of the

slack the band has to offer.

Hold the ring by the index finger and thumb of the right

hand, as Figure 13 shows, but do not have the very tips of the

fingers pressed together yet. They are. in fact, poised to press

together, because you are about to pinch the band through the

center of the ring once again.

To get into the grip with a minimum of motion, press down

on the strand of band between the index finger and thumb of

the left hand, the section which you worked the extra slack

into. As Figure 14 shows, press down on the strand with

enough pressure to allow you to tightly pinch the band with

the tips of the finger through the center of the rubber band.

Your grip on the ring should be such that the very tips of the

fingers meet right at the center of the ring.

As soon as you have the band properly pinched, return the

top strand to a parallel position between the index finger and

thumb. Pause for a beat, with the strand passing right through

the very center of the ring. Again, you are in one of the

traditional grips for the standard ring on rope moves, yet as

you are here using the rubber band, you are able to perform a

beautiful addition to the deceptiveness of the grip. Figure 15

shows how the ring can now be passed back and forth along

the rubber band, apparently showing the band traveling freely

through the center of the ring. What actually takes place is that

the band is stretching and contracting on either side of the

ring, where you have it pinched. However, because of the slack

in the strand, the illusion of the band remaining stationary as

the ring passes along it is flawless!

"But just in case you still aren't convinced. I'll do it fust one

more time. But before 1 do. let me show you the band on all

sides, the nng. and both hands. Now. just by touching the ring

onto the band. I make it melt through the band, creating a

perfect link. But as always, it is a temporary illusion, because

just as quickly, it pops back off and into your hand."

Conclusion

To conclude, once again perform the unlink as described in the

second phase, and drop the borrowed ring back into the hands

of the spectator who loaned it to you.

1 certainly hope you practice this well, because if you do.

you will have a priceless routine for use any time, any place,

for groups of up to 100 people as well as for one on one!

MICHAEL AMMAR *

The Final Phase

Hold the band stretched around the left fingers as shown in

Figure 13. Notice that the left middle finger is on the outside

of the band: this is to help hold the band with tension on it in a

certain way. Once you get into this grip. pull the strand

between the left index finger and thumb very tightly. and

Michael Ammar

BROKEN AND RESTORED

RUBBER BAND FINESSE

1. The rubber band is stretched between the

Index finger and thumb of the right hand.

4. You will need to move the two looped ends

until they are pinched between the Index

finger and thumb of the left hand. To do this,

the right Index and middle fingers completely

open up the section of the looped bands that

the tip of the Index finger occupied.

2. The left hand pushes the middle of the

rubber band away from yourself, as the right

Index finger and thumb pinch together.

5. The left fingers help the right fingers

completely open up their opening, moving the

two looped ends between the pads of the left

thumb and Index finger.

3. The right hand pivots away from yourself,

transferring the loop of the band from the

thumb to the Index finger.

6. The rubber band Is doubled over on Itself,

with the looped ends pinched between the

pads of the left thumb and finger. There Is a

double strand of rubber band held together so

they appear to be a single strand looped

around the right Index finger.

Michael Ammar - 3rd world lecture notes.pdf

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