I've been playing for about six months now and I've really enjoyed learning and improving with the bass. I have a good ear, though I'm still in the process of training it, and my technique isn't great although I know what I need to do to improve it. I've been messing with some slapping and tapping too.

But thing I've never been good at is practicing scales. I can play them, and I generally know the theory behind them, but I can't apply it. Basically... I just don't know what's next. Let's say I start with the C major scale. What I do now is play it fast and slow, play arpeggios (just 1-3-5-root-5-3-1, repeat), and try to do pac man's method but I'm still not 100% clear on that. I feel like I'm improving my technique, and I can play two octave major scales in my sleep, but I'm not really learning what it means or how to use them.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! I play a 5-string, if that matters. Thanks.

Right at the top of the page there's a link that says Pacman's sure fire scale practice method (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170). I guarantee results.

youtube bass scales and watch the videos. You can learn alot from there.

I like this one:

R-3-2-4-3-5-4-6-5-7-6-8-7-9-8

then this descending:

8-10-7-9-6-8-5-7-4-6-3-5-2-4-R