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Tarbell 17: Handkerchief Tricks (Instant Download)


Make handkerchiefs appear, vanish, transpose, change color... and even transform into other objects! START LEARNING INSTANTLY.
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This lesson is particularly interesting because the effects featured are some of the most challenging to update for a modern audience.

Fortunately, that's what Dan does... and it's all about giving each piece a context that focuses on personality while incorporating the props.

In this case, handkerchiefs. Magic with silk handkerchiefs was once very popular, being featured in virtually every professional show, and for good reason...

They were often used as production items because they were large and colorful, yet easily compressed.

In this lesson, you'll make handkerchiefs appear, vanish, transpose, and change color... and even transform into other objects.

First, Dan takes a goofy little piece of nonsense and changes it into a stand-up, comedy magic routine that could easily become a feature in any funny act.

The focus is on a playful interaction with your spectator leading to a surprise ending that will knock your socks off... well, one of them.

Then, Dan shows you how a clever old concept with a candle can still create complete conjuring contentment. And best of all, it's easy to make.

And once you learn how to make these special candles, we take the concept a little further and create some custom-made apparatus to add a touch of class.

And finally, Dan introduces you to a real character who doesn't care how silly his tricks might be, as long as he gets paid.

Hopefully, by the end of this lesson, you'll begin to see that the magic isn't about the handkerchiefs at all... it's about you, and why you do the things you do.

Tricks included:
- The Wandering Handkerchief
- The Silk and the Flame
- The Candle, The Silk and the Paper Tube
- Elusive Silks

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This will fit you, or it won't... Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 31st, 2014
This video features four effects, which might be more accurately described as "two variations of two different effects."

While I picked up some tips I may be able to incorporate elsewhere, I don't expect to be using any of these in my act. Two of the presentations were character-driven (one with a doofus, and one with the pervy magician convincing the female volunteer to put her hand in his pocket,) neither of which fit my style.

Even Dan himself admitted that the last effect wasn't much of a trick, but that he was doing it "because it was there," in the Tarbell text. I understand the mission of faithfully updating and reteaching ALL of Tarbell. But there should be some room for expurgation, too.
6 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
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Tarbell 17: Harlan Brings New life to these old effects Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 20th, 2014
After reading this lesson I thought it would have been Impossible for Dan to make magic out of these tricks. Somehow in only a way Dan can he did so and with style. I’ll be going through effect by effect to give you a feel for the lesson.

The Wondering Handkerchief (4/5)

Effect: A handkerchief jumps from pocket to pocket and Dan’s routine ends with a comical climax bound to knock your socks off.

Notes: This was my favorite ideas/effect of the lesson as it has great potential to be a funny routine. Dan reworks this odd ball effect and turned it into a great bit of funny business with a spectator.

The Silk and the Flame (4/5)

Effect: A silk is produced in a flash of fire (not taught) and is vanished. A lit candle is transformed into the missing silk only to reappear lit.

Notes: For the right performer this effect could be dynamite. Dan teach you the ins and outs of this effect and teaches you how to make the special something you will need to make this effect happen. If this effect isn't you style its ok as it was very enjoyable to see Dan’s thinking behind this classic. It’s one cool routine.

The Candle, the Silk and The Paper Tube (3/5)

Effect: A lit match transforms into a large silk handkerchief. The handkerchief is vanished. A candle is taken from a stand and is made to transforming into the silk gone just moments ago. The as a bit of final magic the candle reappears on its stand.

Notes: This is a variation on the Silk and candle theme. It’s a nice visual bit, and Dan teaches how to light a match with one hand and a clever in the hands vanish of a large handkerchief. Both are very interesting ideas and I loved the vanish. Dan also goes over several other ways to achieve the vanish.

Elusive Silk (1/5)

Effect: A silk jumps and changes color in this odd routine. Two silks then change color and a surprise ends this interesting routine.

Notes: This trick is in Dan’s Words is “Pretty Stupid” and I agree. In reading the original in Tarbell it is a poor attempt at comedy. In Dan’s quest to perform and teach every trick in the book, he makes this effect as good as it can be by creating a character for it. Dan gives a few tips on spring loads to make up for this less than stellar effect. He also shares a gag that may work for some characters. On this journey we will encounter some less than stellar effects but Dan makes it easy for us to enjoy.

Overall magic with Handkerchiefs was a challenging lesson to update but Dan did so with style and performance charm. If you like the sound of this lesson and liked the demo video, I urge you to buy it and give it a try.

~The Magic Of Conrad
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
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Okay…not great Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 20th, 2014
The thing to remember here is that Dan has taken on a monumental task of going through "every trick in the book". That stands to reason that some of it will be better than others, and some of them just won't be relevant. I like to think of this lesson more as a historical reference.

Dan does his best to try to make the material as relevant and modern as possible. I appreciate his DIY builds of some of the props needed for the routines. He does a a good job explaining most things, but some things could use a bit more attention to detail.

What I didn't like was that the only redeeming part of the last effect (which Dan himself admits is stupid) being the untying knot, Dan leaves presumably for the next lecture. Given the underwhelming effects in this lesson, I highly doubt I will purchase the next lecture. It would have been nice to have at least come away with that little effect.

Not a whole lot to get from this lesson, but still worth the watch. There are some little nuggets, but you really have to dig deep to find them.
3 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
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timbo Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 29th, 2014
Really nice. I like the series and am always looking for the "quick and easy" to carry with me. Being able to do multiple effects with very little prep is great.
1 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
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Great Value Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 27th, 2014
My first purchase to the Harlan/Tarbell course. It was well worth it. Silks are visual and easy to use. Although you may not use all of the material, it is good to see the Tarbell material and Harlan's approach to making them relevant to the present. This is a good supplement to the Tarbell books. Yes, the books are a tough/boring read, BUT 99.999% of all magic effects have their origins in those books.
1 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
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Wonderful introduction Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on June 26th, 2022
Wonderful introduction to the world of handkerchief magic along with some candle magic.
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So Many Gems Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on November 17th, 2021
I subscribed to all of these when they first came out and anytime I’m in a rut I return to these lessons. I’m not sure why I didn’t pay more attention to this lesson the previous times. There is so many great ideas here that you can just focus on the presentation. Dan is a genius in magic, and I can’t recommend these lessons enough.
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Harlan is brilliant! Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on August 6th, 2020
There is so much material and learning in these videos! I wish Dan would do this for all the classic books! Even if that particular lesson is not your style there is still so much to glean from it and Dan Harlan presents it beautifully!
Important to note that some of Tarbell's material is quite dated or un-usable, but then Dan ALWAYS comes up with a fresh way to present it to make it work.
No, Dan is not paying me, I pay him, and gladly!
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Only ⅓ usable Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on July 12th, 2020
The first third revolved around a trivial method Thayer is well known from books available in book stores and libraries. Perhaps mor importantly, the presentation to being able to use this in a routine is inappropriate for a contemporary audience (woman/audience member putting hand into magician’s pants pockets. repeatedly.).

The last ⅓ even Dan said he had to include eve though it was just a bad trick.

The middle ⅓ (two lessons), however, was useful. There methods for vanishing a silk, and cost effective approaches for vanishing and reappearing a candle, e.g., not using Fantasio. Some good ideas in this section.
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A few useful gems Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 25th, 2014
Good show Dan! The (first) hank and candle routine was worth the "price of admission". I loved the routine and I'm ready to start making my batch of "candles". I really like how you have taken the effects in the classic series of books and gave them new life.

At first, I was a bit bored with the hank and cap routine until ... I started to think about my children shows! It's another perfect use for my Creative Magic Change Caps. It's just silly enough and entertaining enough for the kids to love.

Thanks Dan and Penguin!
0 of 1 magicians found this helpful.
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