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FLOURISH - Any sleight performed for entertainment and not containing any hidden moves. Most sleights try to deceive the audience or do something undetected by spectators, flourishes do not. (i.e.; fan, springing the cards, waterfall shuffle, etc.) Flourishes can however be used for misdirection to draw the spectators attention to the flourish and away from the other hand where a true sleight is being done at the same time.
~ Online Encyclopedia of Magic

Over the years, there has been much debate in the magic community over whether or not magicians should perform flourishes. Some believe that flourishes indicate to spectators an increased level of ability, thus, in the eyes of the audience, finding a selected card should be no problem and, therefore, anticlimactic. The argument is that you are outrightly demonstrating your sleight-of-hand skill, which diminishes the impression of "real magic". Then again, do most people believe a magician is using a real magic? Some magicians believe it is simply a waste of time to learn and practice flourishes as they see no practical value in them. Then again, there are those performers who cannot or choose not to perform flourishes as it does not fit their character and style of performing.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with the practice and performance of flourishes, within reason. I use flourishes as exercises in dexterity and in performance because I find them challenging, stylish, interesting, and they fit my character. Before I start the day, I spend about an hour in the morning rolling coins over my knuckles, palming coins, and palming cards just to loosen and exercise my fingers to prepare them for any performance I may give that day.

In addition to flourishes, I rehearse various magic techniques such as one-handed cuts, double-lifts, and the pass. Allow me to illustrate the difference between flourishes and techniques. A coin roll is a flourish that can be used just to loosen up, show off, or incorporate into a routine. I am a big advocate of applying natural action and the idea of justification into a magic performance. Picture a hand doing a coin roll during this line of patter, " Joe strolled down the street. " This is a very simple line of patter, but the coin roll fits the patter and therefore has a purpose. The performer's actions are justified by his patter.

False shuffles, false cuts, and even one-handed cuts, in my opinion, ARE NOT FLOURISHES! THEY ARE TECHNIQUES! These are the things that you would not want to show your audience that you are capable of. For example, I could not believe when Bill Malone did a series of beautiful false shuffles on the 'Champions of Magic 1' television show only to reveal that he had not actually changed the order of the deck. Would anyone ever trust the man to shuffle a deck of cards after witnessing that? Furthermore, are you surprised that this man can cause cards to travel from one person's posterior to another? Thankfully, he did not demonstrate and reveal his false shuffling abilities when performing the well-known effect, "Sam The Bellhop" on the 'World's Greatest Magic 1'!

A good example of the use of a technique, in this case the one-handed cut or Charlier Cut / Pass, can be found on David Blaine's first television show. David Blaine used a one-handed cut to bury the "dirty card" after a double-lift. As the spectator was checking the card he just switched in, David did the one-handed cut and was able to show the top card freely without doing another double lift.

By all means, use those well-practiced techniques in your performances! However, should a magician perform flourishes during a performance? This is the gray-area that has been discussed on many occasions. I mentioned that I use flourishes when I perform. However, one must attempt to limit their flourishes to a reasonable amount and justify them. I recommend keeping flourishes to a minimum in actual performance.

Some flourishes are natural in performance such as creating a pressure card fan to have a spectator select a card. However, I do not recommend creating a pressure fan or performing any other flourishes for the sake of doing so, showing off, or even demonstrating skill, especially in a close-up situations. This often draws unneeded attention and the less the spectators know of your knuckle-busting skills, the less they will suspect you of using that skill when you perform.

The only time I feel it is truly appropriate to perform flourishes is in parlor, street, or stage shows where you need to capture the audience's attention with your demonstrations of skill. While working as a street entertainer, I used card flourishes to draw a crowd of spectators. However, some spectators may think you are simply a con-man tossing around cards on street and waiting for your next sucker. I portray and maintain the image of a magician by following my card flourishes with a brief card manipulation act such as performed by Jeff McBride.

I think, the exception in any situation is performing a flourish as a joke. For example, on the 'World's Greatest Magic 3', David Williamson used the flourish called the 'card spring' to spring a deck of cards from his upper, right hand to his lower, left hand in a very comical fashion, as that is his character. Moreover, he placed his hands behind his back and acted as though he performed the same flourish behind his back. Of course, nobody could see all of this as the deck was behind his back, and that is what made it humorous!

Consider this, there are countless methods to vanish a coin. No matter which technique you use, the effect, to the spectator, is the same - you have made a coin vanish! Although, there is an argument that some vanishes are more natural than others and hence, look better. This is an idea I call, "The Perception of Effects"; and I will be writing about it in future articles.

What does this have to do with flourishes??? NOTHING!!! We don't have to worry about making flourishes look natural. The spectator who is about to pick a card is going to still pick a card whether you run through the cards between your hands, or do a pressure-fan. Will the spectator think you have super-human-sleight-of-hand ability and think any less of your card effect if you create a pressure fan? In my opinion and experience, I don't think so. It boils down to: It doesn't matter because it does not affect the outcome of the demonstration.

While reading, you may have noticed that I often discuss character in application to magic performance, as I am also an actor. I believe that the overall decision to incorporate flourishes into your performances is based on your character! As we all know, Jeff McBride performs wonderful card manipulations wherein he performs many flourishes. This is appropriate because he often performs these manipulations onstage and to flourish suites his character.

If magic were real, we would not need to practice any flourishes or techniques for that matter. That is why I consider flourishes more as exercises for the fingers, rather than actual performance pieces. However, by placing flourishes in your act, you show that you are a serious performer with skill. A performer who spreads the cards on the table or does a pressure card fan is projecting the image of an experienced, professional magician. The other performer who just holds the cards, spreading them slightly, may be regarded as an amateur. I know this is not always the scenario, but it may be the impression that is given to your audience.

Flourishes are more than showing-off to your audience. They are proof of one's dedication and professionalism as a performer. Flourishes are what may separate you from your uncle Joe doing a card trick. The more skilled performer will naturally receive more credit, recognition, and respect for his or her skills. A person sees the entertainer who performs the occasional flourish as being passionate about what he or she does and may be more apt to hire someone who is that professional. Your clients expect a magician with skill and experience.

If you are a flourisher do not be ashamed, just keep in mind your purpose and how you appear to your audience. Are you using flourishes to justify an action, show-off, demonstrate skill, establish your character, or is it just a nervous habit!? "Is magic more real, pure, and believable when the magician does not do flourishes - or does he simply look like an amateur, like the flair is missing from his performance?" I hope my thoughts have given you something to think about regarding flourishes and your image. Professional Image Vs. Amateur Image!

This article is based on my personal opinions and experience as a part-time, working professional magician and entertainer. Everyone as the right to their opinions and I encourage you to formulate some of your own. I am always eager to receive feedback regarding my written works. Feel free to email me with any opinions, questions, or comments you may have. Keep Flourishing!

Michael Matson