The accepted term for this would be method, learning by doing which is the opposite of theory but generally provides part of the foundation for learning theory. Learning by method is the way the vast majority learn to play and write music and really is all most people need or want. Theory is not of much use for most musicians, a concept of key (intuitive or literal) and what works with a key is all they need. How instead of why.

Perhaps this is being pedantic but these sorts of distinctions are fairly important, understanding what you do and do not know will make you more effective at learning and help you identify what is of use for you to learn. As someone who taught this stuff you should know that the ones who are most difficult to teach are the ones who think they already know.