Hey Mark, I wasn't sure which scales or how many to learn not too long ago too. I read that a lot of people like to start out with the pentatonic scales because it has less notes so easier to get right away and all the tones are pretty strong so it sounds nice. I wanted to learn the full scales and then see which weaker notes were left out and why. Plus I figured I'd need to learn the full scale eventually, might was well do it first.

So right now I have the major scale patterns memorized and I play it as part of my warm up routine everyday to a metronome, when i begin practice. Trying to get faster, using different techniques, and spiitting up the beats while trying to keep a clear tone and in time.

I mainly play in the key of C and G, but I need to start challenging myself and expanding my keys. What really helped learning the major scale, was taking it really slow and concentrating around the root note, and then expanding till I was able to do it mindlessly, or till the metronome gets too fast for me. Right now I have a couple patterns of the Natural Minor scale memorized and I'm hoping to have it down real soon, then explore it on other keys, and on to more scales. Plus since I know the whole major scale, I also know the major pentatonic scale, and once i learn the natural minor scale, I'll also have the natural minor pentatonic scale in my pocket. Hope this helped, rock on brother