I started learning guitar much in the same way 4 years ago, for a year it was murder (for me and audience!) and I nearly gave up. Till one guy told me it was very acceptable to change a note here and there, or add/take one away and gradully I improved til now I can just about write and arrange my own songs. The Music or the dots are really just one persons interpretation of the tune/song, as Pete Seeger says in 'Rise Up Singng' it's all part of the Folk process of finding, saving, changing, improving songs, but always credit the original

Desi C
Circle Folk Club host
Coseley West mids
UK