Originally Posted by mayonaise

there's nothing wrong with learning other people's songs, but if that's the only thing you ever learn how to do, it's pretty much meaningless. anybody can learn how to play someone else's song. you really should learn the musical structure behind the songs - the theory and the technique. not only is it more valuable, but it'll make covering songs a lot easier, you'll really understand what's going on in each song you play, and you'll be able to come up with something of your own - even if it's just a variation on a cover. much more fun that way.