Should I move on?

Ever catch yourself wondering, “Should I move on to the next song… or am I just rushing it?”
Yep—been there, done that, dropped the groove mid-jam.

In this short video, I share 4 dead-simple questions that’ll help you know exactly when you’re ready to move forward on a concept or riff that you've been practicing—whether it's a faster tempo, a new key, or technique.

If you’re an adult beginner or someone dusting off the bass after a long break, this one’s for you. These questions are like a musical checkpoint—clear, friendly, and easy to apply. Watch the video for all the  details, or keep reading for the breakdown!

Why These 4 Questions Matter for Beginners

When you're learning bass—especially as an adult—it’s easy to fall into one of two traps:

1. Stalling on the same thing forever. Some people say "I've been play bass for 25 years" and a tough tough pill to swallow is that they may have been just repeating the first month of playing bass for 25 years. 

2. Rushing ahead before you’re really locked in. Some of us try to move on way to fast which leaves huge knowledge gaps and bad habits that ultimatley suck all of the joy out of playing. 

These four questions help you find that sweet spot: right between bored and burned out. They’ll build your confidence, improve your ears, and make sure you’re truly playing, not just practicing.

Think of them as your bass GPS—letting you know when to take the next turn without driving off a musical cliff.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Can You Play It Consistently?

• This means playing it clean seven times in a row—no fumbles, no “oops,” no “almost.”

• If you mess up on take #7? Yep… start over. (It’s like musical Jenga.)

• You’re building muscle memory here. No shortcuts, but lots of satisfaction when it locks in.

2. Can You Hear It?

• Can you tell if a note sounds “off” or out of place?

• It’s not about “wrong notes”—it’s about recognizing what fits and what doesn’t.

• Tip: Try playing a groove, hit a random note, and see if your ear catches it. If it does, you’re growing.

3. Can You See It on the Neck?

• Can you picture the scale, pattern, or phrase without your bass in hand?

• Visualization is huge. If you can “see” it, you’ll find it faster when playing.

• This takes time—but don’t worry, even bass mentors have daydreamed fingerboards in traffic.

4. Can You Explain It Simply?

• Can you tell someone what you’re doing, in plain language?

• Example: “I’m using the A minor pentatonic and sliding into the fifth.” Boom. That’s it.

• If you can talk about it, you understand it—and that makes learning the next thing easier.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Skipping steps. Playing it once (kinda well) and jumping ahead. Try the 7-times rule instead.

• Over-relying on tabs. Tabs are training wheels—they help, but don’t let them do all the steering.

• Thinking you need to be perfect. Progress, not perfection. If you’re 80% there, you’re on the right track.

Real-Life Application

These questions come straight from my own journey—both as a student and as a teacher. When I was prepping for college recitals, I’d run tricky passages seven times in a row. If I slipped on the last note? Back to square one. Not because I liked pain—but because it made me solid.

And guess what? My students use this method today to groove more confidently at jam sessions, worship gigs, or even just jamming at home with Spotify.

What You’ll Be Able to Do After This

Once you’ve run through these 4 questions, you’ll know with confidence:

• When it’s time to level up to a new song or tempo

• How well you’re really hearing and understanding the groove

• Whether you’re building long-term skills—not just short-term wins

Basically, you’ll feel more like a player and less like someone just “trying to learn bass.”

Calls to Action

🎥 Watch the Full Video Here: 4 Questions Every Music Student Must Ask Before Advancing

🎸 Join Groove School for 10 Days Free:
Get direct feedback, deeper lessons, and real community: https://www.grooveschool.co/members

🧢 Explore Bass Gear & Merch:
Look sharp while you groove: https://tedtalksbass.myspreadshop.com/

PS: Recommended Tools & Resources

These are tools I recommend to students all the time:

• SongMaster Pro – Break down any song and learn it by ear faster

• EarMaster – Improve your ear and timing with fun interactive tools

• Tomplay – Sheet music that actually helps you practice smarter

• Essential Bass Accessories – Strings, tuners, and gadgets I trust