Scales - how fast

How fast should I try and learn to play scales until I go onto another pattern? 120bpm or 200pbm. Or does it not really matter as long as I can do them comfortably?

You should practice COMBINING scales... being able to weave in between patterns..

it doesn't matter how fast you can burn up and down the guitar, but rather how WELL you know the scale patterns and how they're used together..

can you quickly transition from mixolydian to phrygian without even thinking? can you do it from the 4th string? can you do it with your eyes closed?

can you start a phrase in dorian and end it in locrian?

that's what you should practice. speed doesn't matter... :)

While Matteo makes a very good point, I do understand the draw of improving your speed. While you are learning guitar, being able to play faster gives you "instant gratification", and boosts your confidence.

For me, I'd probably learn a scale to where I can play 16th notes at around 120bpm or so, then move on to another scale, HOWEVER, during my daily/weekly practice routine, I'd spend 5 minutes or so working on my speed of that scale (with a metronome, of course), and then move on transitions, working on new scales, etc. etc.

It's not such a bad idea to plan out your practice routine (as long as you are always changing it up from time to time).

Anyway, that's my two cents...not that I am some tremendous speed-player...but GT has some great speed building tutorials!

Happy playing! :)

Hey, yeah, definitely planning your practice will in and of itself bring much bigger results to you! :)

Thanks. the advice is very useful.

Play SLOW. Until you can play FLAWLESSLY at a slow speed over and over. Boring maybe but it's the key to nailing them. If you speed up sloppy playing that's all you have...sloppy scales!
Get all the notes and transfer of fingers down...speeding it up after you've nailed them is the easy bit!
Good luck!