When to Use Music in a Magic Show

Why you should add music to your magic show.
Music can really enhance a magic show. It gives the audience some entertainment while they're waiting for you to set up for your next trick. It can also give some of your tricks a more fast paced feeling. Music can also act as a good use of misdirection. But most importantly, it adds atmosphere. Watch any movie or TV show and you'll find music. You'll notice that all of them play music at various times during its duration. Notice how the music moves you to feel a certain way, or to sense something big is about to happen. Music should do the same thing in your magic show.

Music in the magic show opening.
The opening is the first act of your magic show. It should be the part that makes the audience see how good and entertaining you are, making them want to stay in their seats and watch some more. All the tricks you do as a part of your opening should be short. You should be able to do several in rapid succession.

Adding music to this portion of the show can help the pacing of the tricks. It gives you a tempo to work with. It you play something slow, it'll throw off the rapid succession of tricks and the audience will feel disoriented. You should play upbeat, pulsing music during the entire opening of the show. It'll help motivate you to be more upbeat in your movements with the tricks. It'll also get the audience moving. And if you're able to do the tricks in time with the beats of the music, it'll really help the feel of these tricks.

Music during magic show scene changes.
Often times you may have to move things around on the stage. Swapping one large trick for another can be a long tedious job, both for you and your audience. Having some upbeat music playing while you move things around will cure your audience's boredom, so they won't be antsy and ready to walk out. You want them to see all your tricks, so keep them interested with some good songs they can tap their feet to.

Music during your closing trick.
The closer is the biggest trick of the show. It is the showstopper, as it were. Because it's such a big elaborate trick, it might take a bit of time to perform, so you'll want some music playing during it for the same reason as scene changes. Another note, though, is that you'll want music that arouses suspense in the audience. Something big is about to happen at this point, and your music should convey this feeling. It should be suspenseful music that has the audience on the seat of their pants. And when the trick is done, the music's tone should change to something that conveys victory, giving the audience their cue to applaud this great thing you've accomplished. It also will then be the undertone of your bow.