The Jumping Bands Trick
The following instructions teach how to do the Jumping Bands Trick which is also taught live at many productions of Magic in the Library. If you haven't seen Bronson do this trick in a live production of Magic in the Library, please be sure to read the description of the trick first!
Did you know?
Magic in the Library is the magic show that's all about reading and language arts. Learning to read well is something that has to be practiced, kind of like learning to perform a magic trick! Whether you're reading, learning a magic trick, or doing anything else, remember that practice makes perfect!
What the Audience Sees
The magician (you) shows everyone two stretchy bands of two different colors. One is looped through another so that it hangs from the one on top. Now the magician has a colored band (such as pink) hanging from another colored band (such as green), over the finger. The magician pulls on the pink band on bottom twice, but then pulls a third time and the bands suddenly change places!
What You Need
To do the trick you will need two different colored loops or bands made of a soft material. Rubber bands may work but looming bands or hair bands work much better. In this example we are using pink and green, but you can use any two colors as long as they are both different.
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Note: if you saw Bronson pass these bands out at a show then you will notice these are made of soft elastic fabric. These looming bands are perfect for doing the trick.
To Perform
Show the two loops to the audience (your friends or family). Then pull one through another. Make a "smile" or "U" shape with the outer band and slide it over your index finger.
Pull on the topmost part of the lower band and let it slide through. (Don't just yank it downward, but let it slide through).
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Do this one more time. By doing this you're showing the audience that the bottom band is stuck and cannot move except to slide around on bottom.
Pull to slide the lower band.
Now for the secret move!
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Pretend to grab the lower band again, but this time grab a tiny part of the band on top and pull straight down the same way you pulled on the lower band. When you do, the bands will slide and change places!
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Your audience will think that you've pulled on the bottom band three times to make them change, even though you secretly pull on the top band on the third pull.
Pull on a small part of the top band.
Important: Be sure to pull on the bands in a rhythm. It should be on a 1-2-3 pattern. Pull on the bottom band and say"1," then pull on the bottom band again and say "2," then pull on the top band and say "3!" Doing the trick this way helps hide the secret move and makes the trick look more like magic.
