The thing that sucks about 10+ years of playing with little, to no theory experience is the concepts themselves seem so foreign when it’s the basic foundations. And I did struggle a bit through a couple of these lessons.
However, the CAGED system alone has already informed things I was doing subconsciously and let’s me look at the neck completely differently then before. I’m excited to get the minor CAGED system! Great lessons!
As a player who did 12 years no theory. Here are my suggestions.
1.. dont rush but skim certain lessons that interest you. Chances are they will connect dots of earlier lessons without you knowing. Atleast watch the lessons through and through them go back and watch them again but applying the lessons this time. My 2nd time though the theory really started making sense.
2. I'd practice.one scale to start. A lot of your jams will sound the same. But that's ok once you are confident with one scale you'll see how they all come together once you start learning the other scales
3. One day you'll realize every scale is the same progression in different keys. I'd say once you hit that part you PROBABLY can get away writing music or playing without the books. My last 2 sets of songs I've written I put the book down and just jammed. I honestly xant believe how much better and more natural it all sounds
4. You'll also realize you were probably playing an odd scale when you played guitar without theory knowledge. I rewrote many things to match the song key. Now I find it silly because I changed one qxale for another for no reason. Just because it "doesn't fit" doesnt mean it really doesnt fit. Theres a reason it stands out.
5. Take your time. I'd spend a week or so on a lesson. What I'd do is take the lesson practice the lesson. Then I'd write a jam or riff with the lesson. Eventually the song is done and I move on.