Why am I learning scales?

[Danny Poole]

Also, your method of teaching scales centers around the CAGED bar chords. But this other book I have centers around "positions" and root notes. Which is better and why?

The better one is the one you get familiar with first, or the one you can relate to the most. It's like saying what's better, Apple or P.C. The both do the same functions, they just have different perspectives of representing the world of computers.

As for learning scales, songs are made from scales, so if you learn one scale you've learnt 100's of riffs or solos that use that scale.... If you learn one solo you're only learnt a part of 1 scale and it has no relevance.

You sound like a smart guy Toby, you know you'll make use of them in the future!