The most important thing is to follow your instinct and get involved with some friends who have similar taste and aspirations and like music as much as you do.
If you've been playing for a few years...especially in a group context... you'll see if you have the ability ... or the passion to want to carry on. It's something that you have to be dedicated to ...and you've got to love ..no matter what happens.
The Stones are a different kind of group. I realized that when I joined them. It's not really so much their musical ability, it's just they have a certain kind of style and attitude which is unique
I suppose because I have a good ear, I could pick out harmonies and learn by ear... I still think that you have to have an ear for music to really be able to feel and understand what you're playing. You can learn by watching and listening to other people.