Because there are relative major and minor keys for every key signature, it is possible to use the same pentatonic scale in a major key and its relative minor.
If you look at the following diagrams, you will note that the G form of the C major pentatonic scale is identical to the E form of the A minor pentatonic. The fingering remains exactly the same, only the positions of the root notes change. This applies to all the fingering patterns. Experiment!
G Form (C Major Pentatonic)
E Form (A Minor Pentatonic)
This example uses the C major/A minor pentatonic scale played against the chords of C and Am. Because these are relative keys, the scale sounds good over both chords.
This solo moves between all of the five forms. Notice how the notes work equally well against all of the chords. This is because both the chords and scales belong to the keys of both C major and A minor, which are relative keys (see the beginning of this lesson). Relative keys are discussed in detail in Lesson 16 .