G major scale is exactly the same pattern as G#,  A, A# B,  C, C#, D etc....

However for most guitarists they are a pattern on the fret board

Start with the five pentatonic shapes and make sure you can visualise each shape

In C the first shape on the fret board is

X                   X
       X            X
X           X
X           X
X                  X
X                  X

The second is (a T on its side)

       X            X
       X            X
X                   X
X                   X
      X             X
      X             X

Note that the top string and bottom string are the same interval for all scales

Note also that the fisrt and second patterns are interlocking

Once you have the pentatonic shapes in your head - the major and minor scales become variations and expansions on the basic pattern

That it all at a pace you enjoy

Now, when I sit and play them with my notes in front of me it isn't a problem, I can stumble through the Major, Natural Minor, Dorian and Phyrgian pretty well.......as long as I have my notes.

My problem is retaining them in my head and playing from memory. It doesn't matter how often I practise them, the next day I've always got to go back and check what I should be playing.

Does anyone have any tips that would help me memorise them?  I'm resasonably inteligent, can retain information no probs and have no bother recalling lyrics etc, I just seem to be stumbling on my scales. I run through them every night when i start practising, but just can't seem too be able to retain them.

Should I stick too one scale at a time, learn that stone cold and then move on to the next one perhaps?

Craig.