question about scales

[FluteMasterGuy]

Is the A minor scale the same as the C major
scale? and, Is the E minor scale the same as the G major scale?

[Cleartone]

Yes and No. In both cases the the accidentals are
the same, so an A Minor scale is a C Major scale starting on A. It sounds
different though huh?? so in that respect it is its own thing. It is all on how
each interval relates to another and how it may relate to a piece of music. This
also includes where you resolve theme. If you look at a concerto it is usually
divided into a series of major and minor keys closely associated with one
another. also in jazz improvisation these scales are called modes. the aeolean
mode is used a great deal in jazz. It is the minor scale. You can also start a c
major scale on the b and have a totally new scale!!

[seldomseen]

Extending this further, you can take your C major
scale (white keys on the piano) and, playing the same notes, get 7 other scales
... the aeolian mode, as mentioned, is one of them. It's the Am scale, pitched
around the 6th note (A). You can also get a D dorian mode out of those notes,
which is also used a lot in jazz and is kin to a minor scale, and the G
mixolydian (flatted 7th, used a lot in blues and rock, and harmonica players use
it extensively) Gets deep, but it's a lot simpler than it sounds. Really.