Best way to learn

[GangstaBean]

Is the best way to learn (in the long run) by memorizing every note on the fretboard and every not in the scale, or is the best way just by memorizing shapes of the scales?

[Mirios]

If you plan on using every fret on the fingerboard I recommend learning what every note is. You can do that in steps, and use chord "shapes" to aid you.
I don't know if I would try to memorize every note in one sitting. My mind isn't wired that way I had to do it in stages, but now I do well. Once you get to the 11th fret it just repeats from 12th on. I did it in positions, learned open position. Then I learned 5th position etc.

Hope this helps.

[JimmyM]

Shapes will end up screwing you if you ever get taken out of them. Memorize every note. It's not that hard.

[XylemBassGuitar]

I prefer a combination of shapes and notes.

I started by learning the shape of a scale in one position, along with all the notes of the scale, then I learned the extended shape of the scale (how the shape connects to other notes of the scale outside of the single position). I moved on to more scales from there. Finally, after learning extended shapes and many scales, knowing all the notes up and down the entire fretboard has become pretty automatic.

I think it can be useful to know both (at least before you have completely mastered the instrument and everything is nearly automatic). One can be useful in a certain situation while the other can be useful in others.

What helped me learn all of this quickly was to practice the shapes and note positions every day, not matter what, without fail. A minimum of 30 minutes per day, but more will help. You'll find that your learning becomes exponential if you stick with a very consistent practice routine. Oh, and don't forget to keep your routine musical and as interesting as possible, you don't want to spend too much time just running up and down scales purely for the purpose of memorizing them.

[Bassguy87564]

Well if you know your scales shouldn't you know the note that go with them if you practice all the modes that go with that scale. I would say just do both just so you know it all.

[john grey]

I stopped using shapes quite some time back. I found quite a few "core" notes that are burned into memory & the"alphabet" from them happens as fast as I need it to. After some time I had almost the whole neck memorized.It's much easier than it first appears.