alt Hacker NewsWell it isn't like they are inventing their own nomenclature either. Where are Jimi's scale books he wrote in his own modes? He didn't operate in those terms. He was very much like my cat, having an insinct for a formalized theory he does not know the formalized language for.
Is it understanding formal music theory? No, only if you stretch the definition of formal music theory to include what is definitely not formal music theory by any one's definition.
Look at the tablature for little wing and you will see that he most definitely did some sort of theorizing, as he was very structured and systematic.
My point is that what he did is what music theory describes, and he definitely arrived there. He most definitely could play the scales and the modes, even if he never used the word dorian.
There is just some allergic reaction to the word that people take to mean something along the lines of demeriting the artistry. Had he learned the diatonic chords would that mean he is no longer a no theory guy, and would that make him worse?
I know thats not what you are saying, but i do see that from the hardcore 'theory is bad' proponents. Is theory the names of the relationship between tones, or the relationships themselves?