Making scales more interesting

[burntgorilla]

I've managed to memorise the steps in each of the major modes, which is a step up from just knowing a pattern for each, and to expand this, I'm trying to play each mode all over the fretboard in every key, which is a bit tricky, especially when you get to the keys with lots of accidentals and the odder modes. My problem is though, that it's just so damn boring. I want to be able to play any scale from any starting point at any part of the neck, because I feel that ultimately, that'll be useful. But it's just so dull, trying to remember what accidentals are in the mode, and then working out what notes in the key become naturalised, etc etc. I'm trying to think of an interesting way of doing it, but it's trying to strike a balance between actively working on the scales and just noodling around that's hard. What slightly more interesting ways of doing it are there? Is my goal a bit ambitious, or should I stick at it?

And lastly, as a side note, what keys are "odd"? I remember reading that someone said "Miles Davis liked to play in odd keys, like Bb." Now, since pretty much every key sounds rather like the rest to me, I've never noticed anything standout about Bb. Is it just a personal thing?

[Phil Smith]

Perhaps it's time to play some music, unless you're practicing scales to play in a ensemble that plays scales.

Seriously, if you want to get something more musical under your fingers you need to practice playing music not playing scales, especially since you already know them.

[burntgorilla]

I think I'm having trouble bridging the gap between having the tools to make music, and actually making it, which I regard as a pretty big gap to step across. I'm trying to find some chord charts to try and play. I had a fake book, but I lent it to a friend, so I'm trying to get some off the net.