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Is music theory important?

The simple answer? Yes. You will need to know music theory. To know and understand how music works is very important to music writing and playing. If you want to be a credible and successful musician you have to know it. It will help you so much and you will be able to play any type of music with any band at any time. The best way to learn IMO is to learn the piano.
 
It depends on what you want to do with music. If you're only musical ambition is to be in a punk band playing root notes, then knowing music theory probably won't matter. If you want to be a musician and not "just a bass player" then absolutely, music theory is vital. Music is a craft, just like being a carpenter is a craft. Would you hire a guy to add a room to your house whose only experience was tinkering with wood for fun in his garage on the weekends? He might be able to make a really nifty chair or birdhouse, but the more complicated stuff would probably be beyond his skill level. Music is a craft, musicians are craftsman. It takes a while to reach that level of expertise, but it will separate you from the mere hobbyists...not that there's anything wrong with being a hobbyist if that's all you want to do.
 

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