Lynne, just a couple of tips, as everything that I'd have said seems to have been said already! I always tell my kids that a little a lot is better than a lot a little. Even ten minutes every night is better that one marathon practice session a week. As regards the scales thing, most trad jigs and reels are major scale-based and require precisely the same discipline to master that scales do. The only difference is that you can stand up play a tune in public (and hopefully get applause!)