Hey Dirk.
You're at the wrong forum! Can I get to to please ask any
PlaneTalk questions at the PlaneTalkers forum? You must register as you did here, at
http://www.thatllteachyou.com/forum
To answer your question:
As you must know by now, I'm not big on scale practice. But, if you feel that you want to put time into them, then yes, you're on the right track. There are 3 different minor scales, so you'll need to look into them for details. All have a flat 3 of course (that's what maes them minor). Use the back of the
PT Slide Rule and you should be able to figure out which are which.
As for how long to make them? You decide that, one octave, two octaves...? Whatever you decide. As I say, I'd prefer to thinik of you practicing MELODY, not scales. Melody is the music, not scales. Melody is selective, it chooses notes in a contextual fashion (set by the key and the chord of the moment). Scales are just linear sequences of building blocks. I always recommend that you learn the melody line of every tune you're interested in. If you do that, keeping the chords in mind, you'll be doing all kinds of good things: you ear will begin to hear the intervals, your hand/muscles will be locking those intervals in, you will begin to understand how chord tones really do underpin any melody (not the whole scale), etc.
I guess I'll have to create a new 'Scales' page here at GfB, as much as I hate the little suckers. Most other teaching sites rely totally on scales to teach, so I guess it's a good idea to at least list them.
I'll see you at the PlaneTalker's Forum for any further questions!
Cheers, all the best,