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The two stages of the detachable thumb illusion
The detachable thumb (unknown originator) is a close-up illusion.
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The detachable thumb (unknown originator) is a close-up illusion.
The performer appears to remove the end of his own thumb; moving it back and forth along his hand or lifting it up.
There is no particular secret to this illusion: the performer simply holds out one hand sideways with the palm out and the tip of the thumb folded down behind the hand. Then, they places their other thumb bent so that the tip appears to be connected to the folded-down thumb with the forefinger bent to cover the joint. [1]
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Clawhammer, sometimes called frailing, is a distinctive banjo playing style and a common component of American old-time music.
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