I want to get into writing and playing music, but I'm not sure if I should take music classes and piano lessons and learn music theory or try to figure it all out on my own. Is this a "Do what you want, everyone is different" sort of thing? Do you feel that knowing theory and/or having training has been essential for making the music you write and play?
i think the only way to really learn music "right" is to learn it yourself. there is no right or wrong way to do anything, so you have to learn it the way it means most to you. then again, i am probably insane