Didn't mean to sound so curt, its just that there is so much that is covered in the manuals and the help files. I ran a search for curves in the help files out of curiosity and detach curves was the 2nd item on the list. Then I checked the NURBS modeling reference index and found that chapter 4, page 111, covers "split a curve or surfaces (detach)."
I agree that questions are absolutely required for learning, but I am also a firm believer in checking available resources first. Maya's help file has tons of written tutorials on how to create and edit various model types. This what I mean by brushing up the basics.
Water under the bridge now as they say. Where did you get the tutorial for the head? It looks familiar, like one where a couple people have gotten stumped on lofting from the upper eye lid.
Good and luck and enjoy learning Maya.
AIM: mhcannonDMC
"If you love your job, you'll never work another day in your life."