How to get more value out of practicing scales

Hi! So I finished the guitar fundmentals courses a few months back and right now I'm on chapter 3 of acoustic 1. When it comes to practicing scales I spend some time going up and down my major and minor scales and practice the grid patterns from fundmentals 1 and 2.

Is there anything I should be doing to further improve my scales other than going through them note for note?

Thanks

I don't do so well practicing scales unless I play to a jam track.

What I am trying to say is scales played in a strict pattern is not something I can stay with. But if I try to make it musical I fair much better and can enjoy myself.

Originally Posted by: meharbrar12

Is there anything I should be doing to further improve my scales other than going through them note for note?

In the long term a lot of this depends on what you intend to do with scales. Are you playing bass lines connecting chords? Playing long melody lines in between chords? Playing lead solos? You should always attempt to align your practice with your musical goals.

But mostly as a beginner you should just try to get used to the physical technique of playing single note lines & get used to hearing the scales in different configurations & registers of the guitar.

Here are some examples.

This tutorial is aimed at getting beginners to sequence major & minor scales in the lower register for both physical playing & listening skills.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=451

These tutorials are aimed at using scales to connect chords.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=427

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=428

Hope that helps!