Forums > Beginner Staff Moves > "The Fire Twirling Book" by Bec & Elke McConnell
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9 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
9 posts
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posted:
Hey, does anyone know if this book is worth getting? I've been mostly teaching myself how to twirl a single staff for the last month of so now, and I'm getting a whole lot better, but I'm not fully sure if my technique is always up to scratch...Should I bother getting the book?------------------Needless complexity is a sign of a conditioned mind...Simplicity is the missing ingredient
Hey, does anyone know if this book is worth getting? I've been mostly teaching myself how to twirl a single staff for the last month of so now, and I'm getting a whole lot better, but I'm not fully sure if my technique is always up to scratch...Should I bother getting the book?------------------Needless complexity is a sign of a conditioned mind...Simplicity is the missing ingredient
Needless complexity is a sign of a conditioned mind...
Simplicity is the missing ingredient
SILVER Member
member
180 posts
Location: London, England.
member
180 posts
Location: London, England.
Posted:
I got the book as a Christmas present hoping that I would attempt to pick up a staff fairly soon, but as yet, I'm still in love-love-love with Poi and haven't quite found the need or the time to move onto anything else…Having said that, I have at least read the book and I can say I like the descriptions and especially the artwork. It’s easy to follow and inspiring. The book is very down to earth and well written, despite the occasional confusion between "your" and "you're" but I can forgive minor grammatical errors if you can.
It’s a lot smaller than I expected it to be and wire bound, so not professionally made or anything, but I would say a good start if you have never picked up a staff, and if you don’t have anyone else to learn from.Happy learning!C
I got the book as a Christmas present hoping that I would attempt to pick up a staff fairly soon, but as yet, I'm still in love-love-love with Poi and haven't quite found the need or the time to move onto anything else…Having said that, I have at least read the book and I can say I like the descriptions and especially the artwork. It’s easy to follow and inspiring. The book is very down to earth and well written, despite the occasional confusion between "your" and "you're" but I can forgive minor grammatical errors if you can.
It’s a lot smaller than I expected it to be and wire bound, so not professionally made or anything, but I would say a good start if you have never picked up a staff, and if you don’t have anyone else to learn from.Happy learning!C member
106 posts
Location: Gloucester
106 posts
Location: Gloucester
Posted:
VERY HELPFUL YES!!!Originally a poi-er I taught myself staff with a broom pole just working out moves that could be transferred from poi to staff.After 6 months I got the book and It helped me out with quite a few aspects of staff.Its very straight forward and easy to understand and definately worth it even just for one or two moves!!!PLUS: its spiral-bound so you can lie it flat and read it whilst trying your new move!!GO GET IT !!Gruff
VERY HELPFUL YES!!!Originally a poi-er I taught myself staff with a broom pole just working out moves that could be transferred from poi to staff.After 6 months I got the book and It helped me out with quite a few aspects of staff.Its very straight forward and easy to understand and definately worth it even just for one or two moves!!!PLUS: its spiral-bound so you can lie it flat and read it whilst trying your new move!!GO GET IT !!Gruff
BRONZE Member
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted:
I bought it after doing staff for a year, also mostly self-taught, and it helped enormously.It didn't give me a thousand new moves, only a couple that I hadn't done already, but it really helped with technique and patterning.Overall, it made me think about the way the staff and my body moved even for things I could already do. This made me think about moves that I had never consciously thought a bout before and was an immense help.And the spiral binding is great as already mentioned, for lying it on the ground while doing the moves...------------------Charles (INFERNO)newdolbel@hotmail.comhttps://juggling.co.nz
I bought it after doing staff for a year, also mostly self-taught, and it helped enormously.It didn't give me a thousand new moves, only a couple that I hadn't done already, but it really helped with technique and patterning.Overall, it made me think about the way the staff and my body moved even for things I could already do. This made me think about moves that I had never consciously thought a bout before and was an immense help.And the spiral binding is great as already mentioned, for lying it on the ground while doing the moves...------------------Charles (INFERNO)newdolbel@hotmail.comhttps://juggling.co.nz
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SILVER Member
Tantamount to fatuity
15,966 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom
Tantamount to fatuity
15,966 posts
Location: Down the road, United Kingdom
Posted:
I highly recommend it. I got it when i first started out (and look at me now
). I found it an informative, well written and invaluable guide.
I highly recommend it. I got it when i first started out (and look at me now
). I found it an informative, well written and invaluable guide. Meh
member
160 posts
Location: saltspring island, bc , kanada
160 posts
Location: saltspring island, bc , kanada
Posted:
Phuzzz and I got it for our bookstore and for ourselves. The art work is great and the drawings simple and easy to understand. Great for beginning staff work.
Phuzzz and I got it for our bookstore and for ourselves. The art work is great and the drawings simple and easy to understand. Great for beginning staff work.
SILVER Member
member
64 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
member
64 posts
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posted:
Plus, they are from Brisbane, so you can't go wrong !!*shameless Brisbane plug*Seriously, Bec and Elke are both really good at what they do, and although I haven't read the book so can't recommed it (yet, got one coming to me) I can recommend them, which is much the same thing
Plus, they are from Brisbane, so you can't go wrong !!*shameless Brisbane plug*Seriously, Bec and Elke are both really good at what they do, and although I haven't read the book so can't recommed it (yet, got one coming to me) I can recommend them, which is much the same thing
Ní mar a síltear a bítear
“Things may not be as they seem to be”
member
750 posts
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
750 posts
Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
Posted:
I like the pictures.
I like the pictures.
Courage is the man who can stop after only one peanut
PLATINUM Member
member
35 posts
Location: singapore
member
35 posts
Location: singapore
Posted:
get the book! i had the pleasure of meeting bec and elke of all places in singapore! they put up a show for a week. they looked great and wowed the crowd with their routine.they are great people , and always ready to help out. even taught me one or two moves! go go get it!j
get the book! i had the pleasure of meeting bec and elke of all places in singapore! they put up a show for a week. they looked great and wowed the crowd with their routine.they are great people , and always ready to help out. even taught me one or two moves! go go get it!j
PLATINUM Member
member
35 posts
Location: singapore
member
35 posts
Location: singapore
Posted:
sorry posted above message twice. anyway its a great book. i had been learning how to staff alone. i had managed to get some of the basic moves on my own. then when i got the book i was comparing the way i did it to the way they did it. helped me get the finer points. i wish they would come out with book for doubles...or anyone else for that matter... hint hint...the doubles lessons on HOp are a bit empty...comeon guys have pity on people like me...stuck on a sunny island with very very few people interested in playing with fire....
[This message has been edited by ikarus (edited 26 January 2002).]
sorry posted above message twice. anyway its a great book. i had been learning how to staff alone. i had managed to get some of the basic moves on my own. then when i got the book i was comparing the way i did it to the way they did it. helped me get the finer points. i wish they would come out with book for doubles...or anyone else for that matter... hint hint...the doubles lessons on HOp are a bit empty...comeon guys have pity on people like me...stuck on a sunny island with very very few people interested in playing with fire....
[This message has been edited by ikarus (edited 26 January 2002).] member
189 posts
Location: London
189 posts
Location: London
Posted:
Personnaly i didnt find it helped but i got it at a time when id kinda cooled down of staffing. I found I didnt learn any new moves but you would have to judge how good you are and how much you have to learn. I would recommend meeting some other staffers as i think you would learn a lot more.
Personnaly i didnt find it helped but i got it at a time when id kinda cooled down of staffing. I found I didnt learn any new moves but you would have to judge how good you are and how much you have to learn. I would recommend meeting some other staffers as i think you would learn a lot more.
I hope you realize how pissed I am.
member
13 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
13 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posted:
I've seen the book around but havent had a chance to really look into it it. HOw much is it generally, do remember i am talking about aussie dollars hereFeZZa
I've seen the book around but havent had a chance to really look into it it. HOw much is it generally, do remember i am talking about aussie dollars here
FeZZa BRONZE Member
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
3,989 posts
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted:
Fezza, the price will be whatever your CreditCard company's exchange rate is at the time of purchase.It changes frequently, and the US currency is (usually) a little more stable than others making it a good medium to trade with.If you like, you can call the bank you have the card with and they can advise you either of current rates or who to contact to give you that info.Cheers...------------------Charles (INFERNO)newdolbel@hotmail.comhttps://juggling.co.nz
Fezza, the price will be whatever your CreditCard company's exchange rate is at the time of purchase.It changes frequently, and the US currency is (usually) a little more stable than others making it a good medium to trade with.If you like, you can call the bank you have the card with and they can advise you either of current rates or who to contact to give you that info.Cheers...------------------Charles (INFERNO)newdolbel@hotmail.comhttps://juggling.co.nz
HoP Posting Guidelines
* Is it the Truth?
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member
13 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
13 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posted:
yo charles its all good i live in australia so there is no conversion need to be done cause the book is made in brisbane, which just happens to be where i live anyway thanx for the advice and will make some much needed inquiries seeyaFezzam_ferriman@hotmail.com
yo charles its all good i live in australia so there is no conversion need to be done cause the book is made in brisbane, which just happens to be where i live
anyway thanx for the advice and will make some much needed inquiries seeyaFezzam_ferriman@hotmail.com SILVER Member
.:*distracted by shiny things*:.
3,777 posts
Location: brizvegas, Australia
.:*distracted by shiny things*:.
3,777 posts
Location: brizvegas, Australia
Posted:
yeah!!! buy it buy it buy it!!!!
bec & elke are lovely ladies and their book is full of lovely pics & easy to follow instructions!
yeah!!! buy it buy it buy it!!!!
bec & elke are lovely ladies and their book is full of lovely pics & easy to follow instructions!
do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good to eat!
if at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished!
smile! :grin: it confuses people!
AnonymousPLATINUM Member
Posted:
Buy it despite them being from Brisbane!
Buy it despite them being from Brisbane!
BRONZE Member
Living it up
363 posts
Location: Brisbane/Berlin, Australia
Living it up
363 posts
Location: Brisbane/Berlin, Australia
Posted:
Ahh just why you *should* buy this book (apart from the fab art and very very good twirling pedagogy that is). Brisbane is a strange nexus of otherworldy energies, out of which the locals pluck many strange and engaging ideas about just you can to with a stick (the didge being a very old example of this). This book is good and might help clear things up for you a bit
Written by: Patrick King of the Badgers
Buy it despite them being from Brisbane!
Ahh just why you *should* buy this book (apart from the fab art and very very good twirling pedagogy that is). Brisbane is a strange nexus of otherworldy energies, out of which the locals pluck many strange and engaging ideas about just you can to with a stick (the didge being a very old example of this). This book is good and might help clear things up for you a bit
Contact without dance is like sex without wiggling.
A) it does feel as good
B) it does not look as good on film
GOLD Member
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
just lost .... evil init
2,474 posts
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posted:
i thought it was good except for the section on contact ......... all what 4 lines of it
i thought it was good except for the section on contact ......... all what 4 lines of it
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourself, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous and talented? Who are you NOT to be?
GOLD Member
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
still can't believe it's not butter
6,978 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posted:
The book was written in 2 B.C.
BC meaning before contact (as HoP community knows it)
This too is different from the Mayan Calander
The book was written in 2 B.C.
BC meaning before contact (as HoP community knows it)
This too is different from the Mayan Calander
Laugh Often, Smile Much, Post lolcats Always
BRONZE Member
member
521 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
member
521 posts
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posted:
tee hee... Bender you are a sweetie..
yes, when we wrote the book we had never seen anyone doing anything but twirling sticks with their hands & fingers.. and we were just beginning to experiment with doing different things.. so 4 lines is probably all we could muster on our speculations at that stage..
There have obviously been many many advances in all sorts of areas of staff twirling.. so I guess the book becomes more a beginner's guide as each year passes..
We've contemplated writing a second edition, but I think HOP has become such an great real-time learning resource that it works well to suppliment what you might learn with the original edition.. as well as the fact that we are so crazy-busy performing at the moment that it's really not a possibility for now...
love to you all,
Bec .:*:.
tee hee...
Bender you are a sweetie..yes, when we wrote the book we had never seen anyone doing anything but twirling sticks with their hands & fingers.. and we were just beginning to experiment with doing different things.. so 4 lines is probably all we could muster on our speculations at that stage..
There have obviously been many many advances in all sorts of areas of staff twirling.. so I guess the book becomes more a beginner's guide as each year passes..
We've contemplated writing a second edition, but I think HOP has become such an great real-time learning resource that it works well to suppliment what you might learn with the original edition.. as well as the fact that we are so crazy-busy performing at the moment that it's really not a possibility for now...
love to you all,
Bec .:*:.
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,492 posts
Location: .:*over the rainbow*:.
3,492 posts
Location: .:*over the rainbow*:.
Posted:
nahhhhhhh throw it in the creek!
yep... it was a fair while ago when we created the book so deffinatelly, as becca said, has become more of a bigginners guid as the whole twirling community has progressed so much scince then
But I'm sure there's still loads of useful information (not to mention the funky artwork
hehehe I'm a dag!) for anyone just starting out.
Thanks heaps for all the lovely words guys! Love you all loads and loads with pixie sprinkles on top!*:.
Love Elke.:*
EDITED_BY: .:* Moon Pixie *:. (1090653670)
nahhhhhhh throw it in the creek!
yep... it was a fair while ago when we created the book so deffinatelly, as becca said, has become more of a bigginners guid as the whole twirling community has progressed so much scince then
But I'm sure there's still loads of useful information (not to mention the funky artwork
hehehe I'm a dag!) for anyone just starting out.Thanks heaps for all the lovely words guys! Love you all loads and loads with pixie sprinkles on top!*:.
Love Elke.:*
EDITED_BY: .:* Moon Pixie *:. (1090653670)
*:...one day all the fairy fridges will be aligned and my pixie world will be complete...:*
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
I reccommend it to light your staffs with...........
hee hee
I think it's wonderful
I reccommend it to light your staffs with...........
hee heeI think it's wonderful
Geologists do it in the dirt................ 
AnonymousPLATINUM Member
Posted:
Written by: fluffy napalm fairy
I reccommend it to light your staffs with...........
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