Not really, you can go by feel and experience
But scales, keys, modes, etc actually do help a lot, no matter whether you're a beginner or a pro
Many people like to say that learning music theory makes people lose their creativity, but it's the opposite really. Music theory makes you see more possibilities on the neck, keyboard, etc
It's like learning a language really. You might learn it gradually over time while living in a foreign country (but then your communication skills will be at least unsatisfying for a long period of time at the beginning), or you can first learn the basics of talking, writing, etc of that language and then emigrate.
Then again, if you focus to much on these theoretical stuff, then you might feel like it is holding you back (just like if you were talking in a foreign language and instead of having a conversation you would constantly worry whether your syntax or conjugation is right)
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