Since you have to start on the root note, when do we ever play the circled note?

The root notes are just a guide to allow you to figure out where the scale starts from. When formally playing scales you usually start from the root note (though you don't have to). In regular playing you can play that note whenever you need a low B in that position

When i formally want to learn and practice the five boxes in the A minor pentatonic scale where do i start? For example on box 2 (http://guitarmasterclass.net/Skalor/Am_pentatonic_scale_box2.gif) do i start at the C or the root note?

Thanks.

When you are starting out, yes you can stick with the root note as the first note to actually learn the scales, until you are familiar with the sound and feel of it, but later on, be aware that there are extra notes you can get to below the root note, and you can gradually add them into your playing.

A lot of fingering charts would leave the first B of the C scale in it's first position. If you are playing that particular scale you should start off on the root. (You don't have to start on the lowest root note however). Of course, you're more than welcome to start that scale on the B and then you'll just be playing the C major in Locrian mode (I think).

The best way to figure it out is just to get some backing tracks and see what sounds good. There is an extended blues track on the first blues lick lesson that would work well from that.

Thanks for the advice so far. Right now i'm working on box 3 of the A minor pentatonic scale. I don't really know how to finger it. Right now the only way i can think of doing it is like this, but after a while my pinky starts to hurt. How do you guys finger it?

... or playing a scale of C in which you start on a B ...

(Sorry, I'm going to be a little picky here, so don't take offence!)

You are completely correct about Locrian mode starting on the B and using the notes of the C major scale, but there is a little more to it than that ...

Its more than just the notes, its also the intent behind it and the chord structure used (a little hazy I know). So to be playing Locrian mode, you would also need to add a Locrian chord progression to the mix, and make B the tonal centre - which is a posh way of saying the chord that you base the riff around.

There is nothing wrong with starting a scale of C on the B note - some tunes rely on it, and if you play it over for instance a chord of C it definately isn't modal at all. By convention when we are practicing scales we start on the root note - that of course is perfectly sensible, but when playing songs in general there is no such restriction, and thousands of songs start their melody on the B or scalar equivalent (its the Major 7th). So,

• Practice scales using the root note to start
• Don't be afraid of the notes below the root
• Definately use them when writing songs riffs and solos

The rest of your post was some sound advice

I do not finger that with my pinky as it is shown. I just use the first and F.U. finger. (For fun, you can try playing it how I do (3 notes per string instead of two and you'll certainly get your hand stretched a bit more and build some pinky strength).

To build my pinky strength I played all power chords using my pinky istead of my ring finger for about 4 months, now I can squash little men with my pinky.