CHAPTER FIVE
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INSTRUMENTAL
INSTRUMENTAL
Effect:
Effect:
The performer guesses what instrument a spectator plays, o
The performer guesses what instrument a spectator plays, or is imagining.r is imagining.
Introduction:
Introduction:
I had initially put this in the additional thoughts section of “
I had initially put this in the additional thoughts section of “ Heritage Heritage”” , , but but as as thethe section grew and grew, I decided that it rightly deserved its own chapter. This section grew and grew, I decided that it rightly deserved its own chapter. This tweak on the concept will allow you to learn personal things about an individual in tweak on the concept will allow you to learn personal things about an individual in a very organic way. I explain the effect using instruments as an example, but there a very organic way. I explain the effect using instruments as an example, but there are many applications to be
are many applications to be explored.explored.
Presentation and Method:
Presentation and Method:
I start by asking if anyone in the group is musical. When you have located I start by asking if anyone in the group is musical. When you have located someone, you instruct them to say three instruments aloud, saying the instrument someone, you instruct them to say three instruments aloud, saying the instrument that they play in any position of their choosing.
that they play in any position of their choosing.
“Piano, Guitar, Drums,”
“Piano, Guitar, Drums,” says a rocker-looking guy.says a rocker-looking guy.
“Piano, guitar and drums…I would like you to imagine one of them here, one
“Piano, guitar and drums…I would like you to imagine one of them here, one of them here and one here.”
of them here and one here.” Specify three spaces in front of the participant, andSpecify three spaces in front of the participant, and give them the time to
give them the time to imagine everything.imagine everything.
“I obviously can’t see what you’re imagining, so I want you to just
“I obviously can’t see what you’re imagining, so I want you to just touchtouch thethe instrument that you play. Don’t perform any movements that you would instrument that you play. Don’t perform any movements that you would make if playing the instrument, but just visualize it as you touch it,
make if playing the instrument, but just visualize it as you touch it, imaginingimagining
“I’m getting the sense that there are strings involved, so that would eliminate
“I’m getting the sense that there are strings involved, so that would eliminate the drums. Really imagine that you can
the drums. Really imagine that you can hearhear the instrument now. Focus on thethe instrument now. Focus on the sound…I’m getting a strumming sound. You play the guitar, yes?”
sound…I’m getting a strumming sound. You play the guitar, yes?”
The hardcore rocker vigorously shakes his head up and down, long hair whipping The hardcore rocker vigorously shakes his head up and down, long hair whipping through the empty air as he jams out on his imaginary air-guitar—a long way of through the empty air as he jams out on his imaginary air-guitar—a long way of saying, yes, indeed, he plays the guitar.
saying, yes, indeed, he plays the guitar.
The methodology here is exactly the same as in “
The methodology here is exactly the same as in “ Heritage Heritage”. Whatever order they”. Whatever order they say is the order that they will imagine the instruments being in. You simply look at say is the order that they will imagine the instruments being in. You simply look at which instrument they ‘touch’ and go from there, building on the moment as much which instrument they ‘touch’ and go from there, building on the moment as much as you like. This is one of the most efficient ways of guessing personal things as you like. This is one of the most efficient ways of guessing personal things about your spectator, and is an easy way to
about your spectator, and is an easy way to truly manipulate someone’s mind.truly manipulate someone’s mind.
Additional Thoughts and Ideas:
their instrument is one of the few that you name. Assuming that they say yes, you their instrument is one of the few that you name. Assuming that they say yes, you then have them imagine the instruments. They will be visualized in whatever order then have them imagine the instruments. They will be visualized in whatever order you guessed, and you can continue as per usual, with them never having stated honed in on it through their imaginative process. This ishoned in on it through their imaginative process. This is realreal mind reading. And ifmind reading. And if you are completely wrong on your guesses, then you can go into the original, or you are completely wrong on your guesses, then you can go into the original, or just have them im
just have them imagine playing one of agine playing one of the instrumentthe instruments that you named.s that you named.
--Further applications of the verbal force include using it to guess what sport a --Further applications of the verbal force include using it to guess what sport a person may play. Have them name their sport among two or three others. You then person may play. Have them name their sport among two or three others. You then have them imagine the sports balls in front of them. Have them pick it up and have them imagine the sports balls in front of them. Have them pick it up and imagine throwing it or kicking it, ending with your revelation of what it is, and imagine throwing it or kicking it, ending with your revelation of what it is, and what sport they play. As just mentioned, you could also choose to
what sport they play. As just mentioned, you could also choose to genuinely genuinely guess guess three or four sports that you think are likely candidates, and then zone in on their three or four sports that you think are likely candidates, and then zone in on their sport through the usual process.
sport through the usual process.
--You can use this to guess a person’s profession. Have them name their current --You can use this to guess a person’s profession. Have them name their current profession guess you worked in (insert job A)
guess you worked in (insert job A) and (insert job B) at an and (insert job B) at an earlier time in yourearlier time in your life before becoming a chef.”
life before becoming a chef.” They will agree.They will agree.
--You can also guess a
--You can also guess a person’s favorite color. Have them name their favorite colorperson’s favorite color. Have them name their favorite color among a few others, and then have them imagine the colors floating in front of among a few others, and then have them imagine the colors floating in front of them like orbs of light. You then guess their favorite color as they lay their hand them like orbs of light. You then guess their favorite color as they lay their hand upon it, absorbing its energy.
upon it, absorbing its energy.
--You could also guess a favorite pet (dog, cat, rabbit, etc) shape, what kind of car --You could also guess a favorite pet (dog, cat, rabbit, etc) shape, what kind of car they drive (as well as their old cars), or any other imaginable item with which they they drive (as well as their old cars), or any other imaginable item with which they can interact.
can interact.
--Instead of having the person ‘touch’ the object, you could just tell them to
--Instead of having the person ‘touch’ the object, you could just tell them to look atlook at it
it and focus intently on it. Tell them to imagine as much detail as they possibly and focus intently on it. Tell them to imagine as much detail as they possibly can, letting it come into clearer and clearer focus. They will, of course, simply
can, letting it come into clearer and clearer focus. They will, of course, simply look look
what they are thinking of, without them having to physically interact with what they are thinking of, without them having to physically interact with anything.
anything.
--I would never use
--I would never use all all of these applications in the same show, but I hope that you of these applications in the same show, but I hope that you can see what a diverse tool this is to add to your impromptu arsenal. I want to can see what a diverse tool this is to add to your impromptu arsenal. I want to reiterate that it doesn’t matter that you’re not guessing these things with nothing reiterate that it doesn’t matter that you’re not guessing these things with nothing spoken—although I’ve provided you with options around this. The visualization spoken—although I’ve provided you with options around this. The visualization process
process is is a a powerful powerful cover, cover, and and everything everything still still comes comes across across as as veryvery psychological.
psychological.
Credits:
Credits:
All credits from “
All credits from “ Heritage Heritage”” can be carried over to this piece.can be carried over to this piece.