Originally Posted by: dragonshade
I'm having a real problem understanding the major scale.
[/quote]
Have you looked at the C major scale lessons in GF2?

http://www.guitartricks.com/course.php?input=2

That is the absolute best place to start: intervals, major scale, minor scale, scale exercises.

Originally Posted by: dragonshade
I have learned Pent. Minor in all positions, and can easily play pent. minor in any key by just moving pattern 1 to the correct key/note on the 6th string. Major however doesn't seem so simple.
[/quote]
Ah, but it is just as simple. Because you can use the same exact pattern. The trick is you have to shift the scale degrees (the scale numbers).

Look here:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=296
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=185
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=722
[QUOTE=dragonshade]
I'm trying to learn the caged patterns for it, but it seems everyone says pattern 1 is different from what others have said.

The biggest single problem with visualizing scale patterns on the guitar is that you can play the same exact note in more than one place.

Look here:

http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=453

It is also possible to understand by looking carefully at the images on this lesson page:

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10666

The lesson text clearly explains the principle. The images show three different ways (patterns) to achieve exactly the same sound every time: a C major scale.
[QUOTE=dragonshade]
I see pattern 1 diagrams, but if it's a C scale for example it doesn't show the root starting on C on the E string, and the pattern beginning there ...

A C major scale is the same notes always: c-d-e-f-g-a-b. The note C is always the root (the 1st scale degree) always. But you can play these notes anywhere and everywhere you can find them on the guitar (or any musical instrument.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.