Ok, sorry.

I agree that it is best to learn it note for note and then explore with it. The benefit of being loose with it is you won't panic in a live situation. We played this song in the school rock band I was in and the singer got balled up with the lyrics. We all sort of weren't sure what to do and I subsequently messed up thd solo. My mess up thought fit and you could call it a looser version :-). another instructor here neal had the opposite experience with a van halen solo when put on the spot...he had said a looser version would have been better since he did notbdo well trying to nail I note for note in a live situation.