This lesson covers common and uncommon productions, and one vanish. These stage tricks tend to be "arts and crafts" heavy. Although Dan Harlan leans towards that direction, it's not his fault here -- that's just what these tricks are. These lessons take complex tricks and give step-by-step instructions that make them less intimidating. Since Dan has actually performed all of them, he gives great advice.

This video is light on the methods used in the book. If you want a history lesson, this isn't the best choice. It is aimed at people who want to perform these tricks.

Here are my notes on each trick.

Production of a Large Bowl of Water: a famous trick that originally required a specific type of performance that few would be interested in doing today. It is updated to be usable for more performers, but it still has practicality issues.

Production of Four Bowls of Water: a lovely effect, but a lot of work for a short moment. It can be used to produce any tall object.

Production of a Child: a surprising effect that's easy to achieve. Uterus not required.

Modern Production of a Bowl: a method from the book that's still in common use, with some extra touches to make it even more deceptive.

Vanishing Bowl: a trick with a great moment of shock. I want to do it.

Production of Doves: I don't like the custom prop that's similar to what the book uses -- I'd buy a magic store version instead. Has a good idea for a routine.

The product being sold here - usual in the Harlan-Tarbell Lessons series - is knowledge/information/understanding of the 'how to' variety.

'How to ' MAKE, in the sense of how to fabricate, construct, use measurements, glues, epoxy, thread, wire, duct tape, magnets, plexiglass/plastic, fabrics and plywood are the major and common ingredients of Harlan's mechanics.

Harlan pays attention to each and all of these, including 'sourcing' the appropriate physical materials - which is particularly useful for wanna-be magicians learning to construct magic effects. The range of sources is constantly extending as new technologies become available at affordable prices and ease.

Sources now include not merely the local hard-ware stores and paint shops but also, those specialising in art, office supplies, all craft supplies, 1 dollar stores, model (railways/trains, aircraft, boats,buildings) supply shops, garden furniture and irrigation supply, computer and radio supply stores, fabrics and cottons, dance supply, steampunk supply and party supply stores.

What Harlan - via Mr Tarbell - does, is clearly show/demonstrate ways to combine materials from places such as these, to set-up and several perform magic tricks using bowls and liquids.

Appearing bowl of water. Disappearing bowl of water. "Dove" small animal production. And a load table too (yet another trick with stacks of water bowls).

Dan does his usual great job of updating the effects, as well as giving construction details and materials to use.

A really great job to add these to your show. Classics for a reason, and made more deceptive by Dan.

Really interesting effects, these are the ones I always skipped over when going through Tarbell. With that said the way Dan performs and explains them makes this a purchase anyone serious at all about magic should buy. As he says the principles are worth learning and can then be applied in other areas.

Magic with liquid is always hard to come by but extremely surprising and effective when done right. Dan teaches you several ways to make Bowls of water appear or disappear and also make a cute furry animal appear... oh and also a kid! Very good lesson. Highly recommended.

The product being sold here - usual in the Harlan-Tarbell Lessons series - is knowledge/information/understanding of the 'how to' variety.

'How to ' MAKE, in the sense of how to fabricate, construct, use measurements, glues, epoxy, thread, wire, duct tape, magnets, plexiglass/plastic, fabrics and plywood are the major and common ingredients of Harlan's mechanics.

Harlan pays attention to each and all of these, including 'sourcing' the appropriate physical materials - which is particularly useful for wanna-be magicians learning to construct magic effects. The range of sources is constantly extending as new technologies become available at affordable prices and ease.

Sources now include not merely the local hard-ware stores and paint shops but also, those specialising in art, office supplies, all craft supplies, 1 dollar stores, model (railways/trains, aircraft, boats,buildings) supply shops, garden furniture and irrigation supply, computer and radio supply stores, fabrics and cottons, dance supply, steampunk supply and party supply stores.

What Harlan - via Mr Tarbell - does, is clearly show/demonstrate ways to combine materials from places such as these, to set-up and several perform magic tricks using bowls and liquids.

The appearing child - that will be my opener at my house in front of Grandma and Grandpa. BOOM!

Dan has done a fantastic job as always. Doing a Wizard routine, theses are a few great illusions that will add so much to my show.