Magic vs. Music, the unfair battle
It's 4 a.m., I'm in a lounge, waiting for my flight to join a ship, and I was reflecting, yet again, on a topic I've had in mind ever since I started my career as a magician...
Long story short (I mean, if anyone is actually reading these blogs, you know by now I'm not one to write pages and pages to say nothing. I'm always to the point.): I grew up in a musicians' family, and... I play several instruments (mind you: I'm not GREAT at any... I'm just average at many...) and I've been obsessed with music ever since I heard music for the first time.
Now that the context is set, let me explain what's been bothering me ever since I started doing magic tricks (although "bothering" might be a strong word...): Magic just can't trigger emotions. Note that I wrote emotions. Plural. Here's the thing: Magic can trigger a "surprise" feeling. Yes, probably the audience will go "Awwww" for the 100th time they hear a magician saying how his grandpa inspired him to be a magician, but he never could witness his grandson on stage (start the music with violins)... but as soon as the magic trick actually starts, you, the spectator, will most likely be surprised and go to the "How?!" side of things.
Now, with music, it's different. A song can remind you of your first kiss. Another song can remind you of that very special summer trip you took on your own. And another song can remind you when you were mourning the loss of a dear one. Etc. Etc. See where I'm going? Music can trigger ALL SORTS of emotions. Magic... just can't. Or, it will start, but then the essence of the magic trick (the secret of how things are done) will catch up with the pseudo-emotion triggered by the script and music. Magic is mystifying. And hey, don't get me wrong: it's a noble thing to do, mystifying people! It reminds them that escaping reality can be fun and a relief... But still: the "how did he do that?" will come as soon as possible.
Mind you: I'm VERY happy to be a magician! It gives me a challenge: how to overcome the "how"? Is it doable? I doubt it. But at least, I can try. Music is already where it should be. Magic isn't; the challenge is more interesting.