Well. I've used the formula alot in the past, until I figured out a better ways to arrange songs. My music sounds original. 2 years ago I couldn't write a riff to save my life. I now can crank them out all day long. I've been playing for 12 years btw. Creativity isnt something your just born with. It has to develope. Theres nothing wrong with using a formula to learn. Saying that there is is almost like saying that learning theory altogether is the wrong thing to do.