I'm a split even both ways. It took me forever to understand what music theory I know since I could never settle unless I knew every last detail on why something was the way it was. In order for one thing to click I had to understand everything that went into it. After that things come pretty easy to me now and I can pretty much memorize things within a read or two. After knowing what I've learned I can pretty much do what I wish. I guess it all roots to my upbringing, my mom was a big artsy-fartsy type and my dad was an accountant.