3rd Intervals On 5 String Banjo with Ryan Cavanaugh

5 comments May 31, 2021

Learn what intervals are and how to play them all the way up the neck in the key of G.


5 comments


  • Steve James June 10, 2021 at 9:19 am

    Sounds like Carol Jameson should be teaching these lessons, or at least interpreting them.


  • Carol Jameson June 1, 2021 at 12:50 pm

    Hello Clair Case – Follow what’s below – and soon you’ll be playing Mr. Cavanaugh’s lesson . . .
    1. - start with this G major scale in the video from this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbIafhLc3wI
    2. - Watch and learn the sequence of frets to play the scale – also notice which fingers the teacher uses
    3. - play the scale only on one string – the 3rd string
    4. - Start by Playing exactly what the teacher plays. SLOWLY. The 3rd string is the third string from the top.
    5. - As you play each sequential note of the scale – say out loud each number – The first note the teacher plays in the scale is “1” – next is “2” and so on.
    6. - You will play and speak “1-2-3-4-5-6-7-1” – go SLOWLY then gain speed as you improve. Notice your form – and also start using a metronome as soon as you learn the frets
    7. - Once you have this down – play notes “1” – “3” – “5”
    8. - Then play notes “1” – “3” – “5” – “3” – “1” Still speaking out loud as you play
    9. — Then say the letter-name of the notes like the teacher does – “G – A – B – C – D – E – F# (pronounced F-sharp) – G” – Again play slowly.
    10. — This is a lesson in playing scales and learning intervals. An interval is the distance between 2 notes. The distance between a G and a B is a 3rd. The distance between the B and a D is also a 3rd. The distance between a G and a D is a 5th.
    11. — Don’t let the interval definitions confuse you for now. Come back to this after you learn the scale
    12. — make sure and use a metronome when playing scales. At first learn the the notes/which frets. Then start the metronome at a very slow speed. This will teach you to play in a group with other players.
    13. — Start by just playing 1-2-3 – then play 1-2-3-2-1 – both with the metronome.
    14. — Add notes in each direction, just like the teacher.
    15. — Soon you’ll be playing the scale in Mr. Ryan Cavanaugh’s video – and your confidence will build as you practice.
    16. — There are several free metronome apps for your phone or desktop computer, or you can buy one from a music store.
    17. — Stick with it – don’t quit or give up – you can do this ! Happy Playing !!!


  • Shawn Cox June 1, 2021 at 8:37 am

    I really didn’t get much of any explanation about the subject from this video. I did get to see that Ryan could practise his intervals. It seemed that there was an assumption that the viewer was already very knowledgeable about third intervals. Not sure of the purpose of the video based on that.


  • Egil Reidar Oseberg June 1, 2021 at 6:18 am

    If you click on the gear icon in the lower right region of the movie frame, you can select the movie speed.


  • Claire Case May 31, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    So, as he speeds along I’m supposed to be grasping this? I took piano lessons when I was a child but evidently did not learn intervals. Of course this was 65 years ago but please explain things a little better. And, go a little slower. Pause here and there. Maybe mention the frets and strings as you go along so I can jot them down. I do want to learn from the banjo videos but everyone goes too fast. I’m supposed to be starting slow.
    If this sounds snarky I apologize because I don’t mean to. I’m just trying to learn., Thanks


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