You only need to be great at the thing YOU do to be a great musician. Ornette and Chet Baker did a lot with "not knowing theory". Ornette has his own theories,

You only need to be great at the thing YOU do to be a great musician. Ornette and Chet Baker did a lot with "not knowing theory". Ornette has his own theories, as did Monk. Chet Baker was notoriously bad at playing changes from a sheet- but he was great at hearing them in tunes and hearing what he wanted to play. Ella had no idea about music theory. I'd say you are in great company. The best musicians develop their own things, and the good news is: it is never too late for you. You go ahead and make something you love- you will be the expert at that. :)