Getting to Know Pentatonic Scales

To get the full use out of pentatonic scales, you should be comfortable with them in all 5 positions. So, using Am as an example again, here are the positions:

1st Position
Starts on A on the 5th fret of the Low "E" string, played by your first finger:

e|1--3|
B|1--3|
G|1-3-|
D|1-3-|
A|1-3-|
E|1--4|

2nd Position
Starts on C on the 8th fret of the Low "E" string, played by your second finger

e|-1-3|
B|-1-3|
G|1-3-|
D|1--4|
A|1--4|
E|-2-4|

3rd Position
Starts on D on the 10th fret of the Low "E" string, played by your first finger

e|-1-3-|
B|-1--3|
G|1--3-|
D|-1-3-|
A|-1-3-|
E|-1-3-|

4th Position
Starts on E on the 12th fret of the Low "E" string, played by your first finger

e|1--4|
B|-2-4|
G|1-3-|
D|1-3-|
A|1--4|
E|1--4|

5th Position
Starts on G on the 15th fret of the Low "E" string, played by your second finger

e|-2-4|
B|-2-4|
G|1--4|
D|1--4|
A|-2-4|
E|-2-4|

Note: Where "3rd" finger and "4th" fingers are noted, those fingers are often interchangeable. You'd play with one or the other, depending on what you were doing. For bends, or aggressive attack, you'll use the 3rd finger. For fast runs, you'll often use the 4th.

Good luck!