Here's a workout for you. Rather that just learning to play Mode #1 in the Amin position and moving on to Mode #2, why not gain flexibility by playing Mode #1 in some other minor pentatonic positions, such as Emin, Dmin, Bmin, Fmin and in the relative minor of your favorite key before moving on to the next Mode. The object is to bring your motor skills and your listening skills along with your music knowledge. For example, if your backup is in Gmaj where the progression is G-C-D, you will like to be good in E, A, and B minor pentatonic scales and their five modes.
The object of this exercise is to drill Mode #1 into the heart and mind. Don't become occupied by how it sounds. For example, you won't find that starting the scale on the 5th fret A is much help when the backup changes to the C chord. It sounds a lot better to start the scale on the 8th fret C note, which is Mode #2. That C note is followed by D-E-G, which harmonizes better with the C chord. Are you starting to see the built-in flexibility of this modular system? It takes time.
That is what the assignment on the next and final page of this presentation is about. Don't worry about how the lead melodies sound at this point. Play them top to bottom and bottom to top. Experiment with landing on different degrees with the chord changes. You are building memory, hand, and eye/ear co-ordination. Have fun! See you in the next lesson. Call or email. Love to hear from you.