I did a show in a mall with a magician. He uses background music for his tricks and recommended that I consider background music during the ventriloquism also.

I have never used it as background for ventriloquism. Have any of you tried that?

There are a number of ways I use music in any of my shows: Musical bumpers for intros and outros plus sound effects for characters, musical accompaniment for songs done with a character, musical numbers that include the audience and a puppet character, punching up finales to physical comedy bits with a puppet are some applications.

Can't recall using music just a background for a vent bit. An interesting idea though!
I believe Bill DeMar-velous did a routine with Chuck Norwood that had background music throughout.

There are plenty of royalty free music CD's created just for backing up magic routines (some available here on Axtell's site). Perhaps investing in one or two just to listen and see if they evoke an emotional tone or energy that works with an existing routine or if the music alone suggests a routine yet unwritten.

A number of my Youtube clips contain music integrated in some way. Being a musician cetainly works as an advantage in creating specialized bits of sound but there are plenty of options for the non-musician.

I'll have to make it a goal. I am considering getting environmental sounds for backgrounds to start, such as a rainforest for the orangutan, and ocean sounds for the dolphin. The problem is that rain and waves often sound like static, so I'll have to be really picky.

My show is a combination of magic and vent. Usually, I use music when I'm not talking. I use pre-show music and music during some magic routines etc. Music sets the mood for the routine, so if you are doing a happy-fun show, use happy-fun music. I originally had some tribal music for my wild animal show. It was way too slow for the mood I was trying to create, so I sped it up chipmunk style and now it works fine.

To be honest, I'm not a very good vent, so I never have music during a vent routine. I want everyone to understand everything the puppet and I are saying.

I used to use music during all of my routines. Now, I only use it during some routines. I feel like it adds variety to my show. Music is like an explanation point!!!! I don't use it all the time.

Brett
KidsComedian.com

This is a musical routine from a birthday party show. The sound system is just a MP3 player and some speakers made for a computer. It's a great set up for really small shows.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vqGuIVYwjyY

Brett
KidsComedian.com

I was lucky last week to visit Morrissey Magic headquarters in Toronto. Dan and Phoebe took over the business from their Dad, Herb.
I saw two CD's which may be of interest. The first is Sounds of the Sorcerer, Opus One($52.50 in my 1998 catalog) ,and Illusionique($ 38.00 ten yrs. ago) which is a continuation of Opus one. I can't mention all the cuts..there seems to be about 26 tracks per CD. Yet some examples are Pre-show opening; daydream, grand finale and post show. The second CD features things like magician's fanfare; mystique;levitation etc. etc.
Details are on the Morrissey site which may help you buy them closer to hoe.
I now have four new, cheap rope illusions( I actually can do them!); and two grand illusions( sneak them in the house expensive!) Phoebe demonstrated both. Both are vent friendly and I shall develop them when I complete the update of my Irish-Canadian history book. Tony, are you ready for this book thing?

I never tried using background music during a vent act

I only use music while I'm getting the puppet...or changing form one character to the next.

I also use music when my puppets sing

Wanlu, I think the CD's would be good for those who do a little magic plus vent. Ron

Hi Ron,

I agree with you

I just mean that I don't use music during a vent act The music might distract me I only use music to avoid dead air while changing from one figure to the next...and during a song number

Wanlu

i just got 2 of the royalty free cd's that axtell sells. the first is make it magic vol 2 and the other is make it magic- performance! i like both. the first has a lot of 2-3 min cuts that can be cover music/ pre post show, the performance has lots of cuts for entrance and exits. cover music for getting volunteers up on stage etc.
Ax has some samples on the site. i am pleased with both and will be completing the collection.

Thanks, Mark. Valuable news for those living south of the 49th Parallel.