I've learned both songs and theroy, and I can sympythise with anyone who said "people only want to hear songs, because I'm more comfortable with the stuff I just make up." I think it is important to learn both. If your just learning theroy from a teacher I wouldn't quit, but I would buy a songbook or look for some internet tab to pratice on the side. After all everyone started playing because of the music they heard and loved so why not try playing it on your own. I've also found that learning songs with the theroy that applies to them has helped me learn new rythms and teniques that will eventually break me out of that repetive mode I've been stuck in.


As for the Scale question. I thought A minor pentationic a Cmaj pentationic scales were exactly the same, because they were both composed of the same notes, regardless of where you start or finish. This is why A is the relative minor in the key of C. Notice that A minor scales are the same as A major scales. I will confess that I can't answer any questions about the Dorian scale because all I know is one position I learned form a scale chart... Opps I've alerady forgot It better go look for that chart.