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Posted by: wez24 Dec 21 2007, 06:41 PM

whats the differnce between them if they use the same notes and played in thw same shape if u know what i mean

Posted by: Coram Deo Dec 21 2007, 09:08 PM

The box shape is the same, it all depends on the root note. The way I learned it was by memorizing the box that has the root note on the big E. The scale goes"in fret number" 3-6 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-6 3-6 this is the G-minor pentatonic box and the root note is the first note you pick on the big E, G. Now if you play the same box shape but make the 3rd fret the second note in the scale you just played a G major. The same goes for all 5 pentatonic boxes. Basically think of it this way when you play the above scale, it is a G-minor scale and an A# major scale at the same time. By learning one scale you have learned two and didnt even realize it, I was stoked when I found this out!! Kinda confusing at first but once it clicks for you its second nature. Hope that made sense.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Dec 21 2007, 09:31 PM

Great answer Coram - but please allow the instructor the courtesy of first reply on their own personal boards!

Posted by: Coram Deo Dec 23 2007, 03:05 PM

My bad, no offense inteneded. Didnt even think about that.

Posted by: Wallimann Dec 30 2007, 01:33 PM

Sorry for the late answer!
Coram is right though.
To understand better, let's compare the notes of A minor pentatonic and C Major pentatonic:

A minor pentatonic:
A-C-D-E-G

C Major pentatonic:
C-D-E-G-A

You can see that both of these pentatonics share the same notes. The only difference is the root. A minor pentatonic is the relative minor to C Major pentatonic.

Playing these notes without a steady bass in the back, or a chord won't really illustrate this. But if you play these 5 notes with an A on bass, all the notes that you will play will be measured according to that bass. With an A on bass, the scale will sound like a minor pentatonic.

On the other hand, if we change the bass to C, the same notes will have a different feel since measured to that new bass. Playing a C on bass while playing that scale will sound like a C Major pentatonic.

That is because if you play for example G over an A bass note, that G will be a minor 7th. If you play that same G over a C bass note, that G will become a 5th.

To resume, each note played by itself doesn't mean anything. A note becomes meaningful when it can be compared to another one. In this case, the root.

I hope this makes sense!