Originally Posted by MarioD
I have always told my students to learn music theory but don't let it get into the way of making music. That is learn theory to expand your knowledge but don't let it dictate your playing. Use it to augment your playing. YMMV
No, that sounds right to me, though others will disagree.

My grandfather was a piano tuner and played by ear. I asked him if he'd teach me, but he said "It's not the right way ... you should have lessons and learn properly".

As a child in a single-parent home in a house of multiple occupancy in an inner London slum-clearance area, we had no money for a piano or lessons. I dropped music early at school to focus on engineering, so I had no tutoring at all until I was almost 60.
I've almost always been good at anything to which I turn my hand. I thought music would be the same, as did my friends. Nope, not this time. I'm now trying to push some of that theory learning more to the back, but it's a struggle and I'm now in my 70s. frown

Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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