I'm not sure where you get your tutorials but here is a good place to go if you already havent been to it:
www.gimptalk.com
Thats a real good place where I get tutorials, brushes, and other stuff
I can also suggest that you try things by yourself. The only thing that'll do is give you an oppurtunity to do things in your way which should be easier. Theres no need to follow the tutorial word for word.