Going By Tube The Magic of a Moving Magazine. The Going By Tube trick is a fun illusion that makes a rolled-up magazine appear to move up and down a string as if by magic. The secret lies in the clever arrangement of strings and slight hand movements, making it look like you have control over the magazine’s movement.
Going By Tube The Magic of a Moving Magazine
Overview of Going By Tube
Effect: A magazine, rolled into a tube, seems to rise and fall along a string controlled by the magician.
Secret: Two strings looped inside the magazine create the illusion of movement. Pulling and relaxing the strings causes the magazine to move smoothly up and down.
Materials Needed
- A Magazine: Any magazine or similar paper material that can be rolled into a tube.
- Paper Clips: Two clips to secure the rolled magazine.
- String: Two pieces of string, each about twice the length of the magazine.
Setup and Preparation
- Roll the Magazine:
- Roll the magazine into a tight tube and secure it with paper clips to keep it from unrolling.
- Place one clip at the bottom and one at the top for stability.
- Prepare the Strings:
- Take one piece of string and double it over.
- Hook the center of this doubled string onto the bottom paper clip, allowing both ends to hang out of the tube.
- Take a second piece of string and loop it through the first string, creating an interconnected loop.
Performing the Going By Tube Trick
Step 1: Set Up the Illusion
- Hold the Strings:
- Hold the ends of both strings – one in each hand – with the magazine hanging on the string setup in the center.
Step 2: Make the Magazine Move Up
- Pull the Strings:
- Gently pull on the strings at the top and bottom, especially the bottom string, to make the magazine appear to rise up the string.
- As you do this, slightly relax your grip on the top string, which creates the illusion that the magazine is moving upwards.
Step 3: Make the Magazine Move Down
- Reverse the Movement:
- To make the magazine move down, pull gently on the top string and relax your grip on the bottom string.
- Allow your hands to move slightly closer together to enhance the effect of the descent.
Step 4: Repeat and Practice
- Practice the Movements:
- Practice the coordination of pulling and relaxing the strings until you get a smooth motion up and down the string.
- You can repeat the movement as many times as you like, giving the impression of full control over the magazine.
Tips for a Successful Performance
- Smooth Movement: Practice makes perfect! Ensuring the movement of the magazine is fluid adds to the magic.
- Audience Engagement: Use gestures and focus on the magazine as if you’re willing it to move, enhancing the illusion.
- Keep the Secret Hidden: Be mindful of not revealing the setup to the audience by keeping the string and paper clips discreetly positioned.
Conclusion
The Going By Tube trick is a captivating and simple illusion that brings an everyday object like a magazine to life. With a bit of practice and the right setup, you can easily create the impression of controlling the magazine’s movement, leaving your audience puzzled and entertained!