New User - Help with scales

Ok Ive been playing by ear since I was 6, never really learned music or theory and now I would like to

I see all kinds o crap on the web about scales this and that, but have no idea where to start, what to practice etc.

I think I understand the CAGED theory slightly, but my major question is this, when practicing scales...

1. What scales should I master first? Major? etc.
2. Anyone know of a good diagram?
3. Thanks in advance for all help :-)

Altho I would suggest starting with the C major scale as it is a foundation of many things one of our instructor has made an amazing series of tutorial on the pentatonic scale. From what I understand you seemed like a guitarist that what's practical application of those scales right? You'll get just that with these series of tutorials.

Here's some great tutorial from Christopher Schlegel

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10347&s_id=296
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=9940&s_id=217
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10019&s_id=232
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10023&s_id=244

After these tutorial you can also look into the blues tutorial series of Christopher they're also great.

Yes I am a guitarist looking for practical applications of the scales, thanks for that :D

But where should I start so I understand "scales"? I mean you have major minor, pentatonic blah blah and so on. Where do you actually start? CAGED and the major scales that go with them? then move on to penta and the others?

Theory

I think this is what you might be looking for.

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10072&s_id=249


After that you might want to look at this one for some more info on modes

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=7360&s_id=50

Exercises

After all that theory you could hit Doug Fearman's instructor's section where he posted a great number of tutorials, all with practical application of scales. Doug has one of the most extensive lick collections on the site.

You could also check out Dr. Simon's tutorial for some scales exercises

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=8093&s_id=69

Hope these will help you out find your answer