Scales? HELP!!!?

OK! i have a problem. i kinda know what scales on a guitar are and kinda dont. i have a poster that has diagrams of scales in like natural minor, blues, major, pentatonic, symmetrical, modes. and these diagrams have numbers on them in circles and diamonds on fretboards. what do all of these mean and how could i possibly learn all of them??? there are 60 of these diagrams!!!

that poster sounds very "busy". I would start with the very basics first and work up. if you are just learning then learn major scales first but if you already know the major scale form then go to the pentatonic thats the "blues scale" seeing as you are in the blues forum i assume thats where your interest lies.

it is easy to learn the form (fingerring), but for each scale form you need to know all the notes in that scale for each key if it is going to do you any real good.

go slow learn C,G,D,A, major first then E & F# major

write it all down on paper and see the progressions from one scale to the next

only when you master that should you go to pentatonic scale which has only five notes that are played in each scale instead of eight in the major

Take some lessons

OK first learn the E Minor Pentatonic scale, after you learn that switch to E Minor Natural, as you can see this just added two notes but they are in between the pentatonic scale.

Now here is the cool thing, after you have learned this scale slide the scale up two frets, you are now playing G Minor natural scale.

See if you change the root you change the key of the scale you are playing in.

Do not worry about modes, modes are just other names for the scales you are in.

Now move back to E, and now down two frets you are now playing D minor natural scale.

very important to at least learn the notes on your e string, this sets the key for the scale you will be playing in.

Do you see how the scale is like a circle? when you move up a fret what was at the 21th fret is now at the top in open, same if you move down a fret what was open is now at the 21th fret.

YOu should have some lessons. Even a few just to help point you in the right direction.

Scales (all with a "C" tonic - you will have to learn where the notes are on the guitar and play those.

Major:
C D E F G A B

Natural Minor:
C D Eb F G Ab Bb

Harmonic minor:
C D Eb F G Ab B

Melodic Minor:
C D Eb F G A B

Pentatonic Major:
C D E G A

Pentatonic Minor:
C Eb F G Bb

Blues:
C Eb F Gb G Bb

You don't need the modes, but her ya go!

Mixolydian:
C D E F G A Bb

Lydian:
C D E F# G A B

Dorian:
C D Eb F G A Bb

Phyrgian:
C Db Eb F G Ab Bb

Locrian:
C Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb

a key is in the numbers. they are intervals. a measure of space between notes. half step or whole step, step and a half, etc. Natural signifies no sharps or flats. The diamonds sound like finger positions. Don't let the big picture over whelm you. focus on major scale pattern and a minor scale pattern. practice running the scales, it is good finger exercise. build on a solid foundation.