Also relatives, A major goes with F# minor. This is a modally idea. A mode is just a original major scale except your starting on a different root. Like A major (Ionian) has the same notes as F# minor (Aeolian). B dorian, C# Phyrgian, and so on all have the same notes as A major.
And yeah the A minor pent does have the same notes as the G major scale. This stems from the chordal structure of a major scale, which is this. I ii iii IV V vi viio. Capitals are major and smalls are minor. The one with an "o" at the end is diminished but don't worry about that one. These chords are structured as triads or arpeggios, which is what a pentatonic scale is. Just an extended broken arpeggio. So there are many pents that exist within a major scale. In G major, the G major pent (I), A minor pent (ii), B min pent (iii), C major pent (IV), D major pent (V), and E minor pent (vi).
Yeah the position of a A minor pent can be the same as the G major scale, using the G position of the A minor pent. You've probably heard someone say something about the 5 different positions to plays pents in. Each note inside a pentatonic used as a starting point is a different position. You should practice all of them.
The way I practice scales and I've found that it works great is to practice all your scales in one key one day, then the next day play all of them in a different key. Like monday you practice all your scales in B, then Tuesday play them in C. Play with a metronome and start off with a setting that you can play the scales very naturally. Move the setting on the metronome up a few BPM's as you get faster. It's a good routine to into.
http://www.zentao.com/guitar/ is a good site to learn more about theory.
[Edited by noticingthemistake on 06-27-2003 at 03:57 PM]
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