[MellySingsDoom]

Well, I know how the E major scale goes. Will that do?

*silence*

I'll get me coat.

Technique and theory can be dead useful to getting a musician to get to a place where they can truly express themselves (whether it be John Coltrane or Diamanda Galas), but of course it's the initial emotional/visceral passion from the musician that should count first and foremost.

As for the vast hordes of sub-sub-sub-Page/Clapton/Yngwie widdle merchants that have befouled the air over the years, they should either be forced to spend a year in retreat listening to nothing but The Shaggs, or be nibbled to death by particularly amorous panda bears.