IMHO...The goal is to first have really good technique so that when it comes time to create, you can stop thinking and just play from a place of feeling and emotion. https://twitter.com/mchenryhall/status/1294826480862552064

I do think it is vital to understand the language of music & develop solid technique on your instrument in order to write well. But when I write, I try to let my ears and heart guide me as opposed to thinking theoretically. Occasionally, I’ll use theory to break a writing block.

For me, learning the language came through music theory. Some people can do it really well without that. Will Ackerman and David Crosby are two examples who inspire me endlessly, and can’t read music at all. But for the average person, learning theory teaches you the language.