Here are some thoughts on how I practice scales in the first position, and really all positions.
- Just practice one octave at a time, deliberately using various right hand patterns such as, i-m, i-a, p-i, p-m, p-a,
i-m-a, a-m-i - Give some shape to the scale, ie: crescendo, decrescendo,
- use stacatto
- speed bursts, aternated with fast and slow.
- buzzing, yes practicing intentionally causing each note to buzz. This is actually a great way to teach your fingers to not use too much pressure when pressing.
- play expressively, practice making music even though it’s just a scale. Most guitar pieces contain some type of scalewise motion so you must practice them as musically as you can.
- left hand only, no right hand. Practice your slurs (hammer ons, and pull offs). Play the entire scale this way both ascending and descending.
- practice all the keys on the circle of fifths, this gets you use to reading music with various key signatures.
- practice rest stroke and free stroke mindfully and deliberately because each skill has different implications with how you use your right hand.
- pizzicato is a great skill to practice scales with, it will appear occasionally in your repertoire.
- harmonics. Don’t forget to play the scale with harmonics, this is an important skill to develop and a great tool to have in your bag of techniques.