I had a few minutes so decided to put up some scales that would be handy to know. then just as I was proof reading it my little boy turned the PC off

so this is the second time I've typed all this out.
With theses scales learn the shape more than the actual fret positions. by moving the whole shape, you change the key. eg if you move the C major scale below and start on 3rd fret rather than 8th you have the G major by playing the same shape. one exersize is going up and down once.
the underlined numbers are the root notes.
get into good habits from day one with your little finger. the nubers in italics are played with your little finger
here goes again
C Major
E
8 10
12 12 10
8A 8 10
12 12 10 8
D 9
10 12 12 10 9
G 9 10
12 12 10 9
B 10 12
13 13 12 10
E 10 12 13 12 10
cant stress how important this shape is if you ever go on to be an advanced lead guitarist.
A minor
in this one the 4--5 indicates you play the first note with the index finger and slide it one fret to the next one
E
5 7
8 8 7
5A 5 7
8 8 7 5
D 5
7 7 5
G 4--5 7 7 5--4
B 5 6 8 8 6 5
E
5 7 8 7
5and finally the classic
BLUES SCALE, in this case, A
E
5 5A 3 5--6--7 7--6--5 3
D 5
7 7 5
G 5 7--8 8--7 5
B 5 8 8 5
E
5 8
5It bares repeating that there are no short cuts to being a good guitarist and the first couple of years are the hardest. It's like a giant stringed Rubik puzzle. if you nail down the basic theory it becomes much easier to express yourself with the guitar. For years I've played in and written for rock bands but I've always had other musicians around me and a singer to deliver the words so I couldn't even sing you half my songs. my new years resolution is to learn songs that I can play and sing (to my limited ability) on an acoustic guitar.