I chose the "make it your own". When I played in a trio that worked in supper clubs, resorts, etc., if somebody wanted us to play a tune just like the record, the band leader would tell the person to put a quarter in the jukebox because we did our interpretations and a jukebox would give the exact original rendition. I still feel that way.
There are cover bands and those who play solo fingerstyle who try to capture all the nuances of the original tune (Steven King, Edgar Cruz for example). That is a real commendable skill for both the cover band and the individual, but it has never been my goal.
For me, learning a tune (or a part of a tune) note for note off the recording by ear is only so that I learn something the performer did that I like and would want to add the idea to my own musical vocabulary.
To me, this will be one of the more interesting polls, as it gets to the heart of what we are doing with our guitars.
Tony
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