Difference Between Major Minor Pentatonic Scales

I still don't get how you make one minor pentatonic scale pattern into a major pattern other than starting on the 2nd scale degree unless that works for all the patterns (is that right?).

Only the second note in pentatonic scale pattern one is the major root. Whatever that note is, it's always the major root as you shift into other patterns.

PATTERN 2: It ends up being the first note in pattern two.
PATTERN 3: It's the first note on string four in pattern three.
PATTERN 4: It's the second note on string five in pattern four.
PATTERN 5: It's the first note on string five in pattern five.

Changing the pentatonic scale from minor to major is not really about where you start, but rather what you're playing over. Pentatonic scale pattern one in the open position played over an E root will sound like E minor pentatonic. The same notes played over a G root will sound like G major pentatonic.

Try this:

MINOR PENTATONIC
Play pentatonic scale pattern one in the open position over this "Cocaine" jam track. Notice that because the chord changes revolve around E, the scale does also and produces a minor tonality.

http://guitar-music-theory.com/music-theory-songs/Cocaine.mp3

MAJOR PENTATONIC
Now play the same scale pattern over this "Wonderful Tonight" jam track. Notice that because the chord changes revolve around G, the scale does also and produces a major tonality.

http://guitar-music-theory.com/music-theory-songs/WonderfulNight.mp3

Knowing the difference between the two pentatonic scale tonalities is critical to understanding music theory for guitar and popular music. And developing a good working knowledge of guitar theory requires that you move beyond the printed page and hear chords and scales in action. Remember to learn and play along with lots of songs, record yourself, utilize jam tracks, and play with other musicians.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna (Google me!)
http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Pentatonic/CAGED/Progressions/Mo

Music Theory Lessons For Guitar

Free guitar theory audio lessons. An introduction to music theory for guitar. How learning about guitar scales, chords and chord progressions can benefit intermediate and advanced guitar players.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna (Google me!)
http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Scales, Chords, Progressions, and More

Pentatonic Guitar Picking Techniques

This video demonstrates a four note picking sequence used with pentatonic scale patterns for guitar. This is great for developing alternate picking and fingering technique, speed, and phrasing. It's suitable for players who have already master the three note picking sequence taught in the DVD, Getting Started With the Pentatonic Scale.

What guitar scales are used to play melodies?

What guitar scales are used to play melodies? How do I know what scales to play over a chord progression, and how can I make patterns sound musical and melodic?

Melodies, riffs, guitar solos, and bass lines are all derived from the parent major scale that a song is based in. The pentatonic is just a simplified version of the major scale with its own sound characteristics and unique patterns. To understand how to select the proper scales to play over a chord progression, see Fretboard Theory Chapter 7.

As for making scales sound melodic, you must first learn licks and phrases from other songs in order to build your repertoire. Everything you learn and memorize can be reworked and replayed over another song. 

Click here to start learning easy pentatonic song riffs and melodies.

Major scale are covered in Fretboard Theory Chapter 5.

Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna (Google me!)
http://www.Guitar-Music-Theory.com
Pentatonic/CAGED/Progressions/Modes