u/Half-Ok

When first learning to hear and recognize intervals or chord tones, the root is usually treated as the reference point. A common ear-training drill might involve hearing the root against other scale tones—for example: root to 2nd, root to 3rd, root to 5th, and so on. Then you move on to hearing chord tones such as 1–3–5, or 1–♭3–5–♭7.

However, many bass lines use inversions or start on chord tones other than the root—for example: 3–5–1 or 5–3–1–7.

How do you train your ear to recognize intervals and chord tones when the root is not the first note you hear?

For example, if a line starts 3–5–1, 5–1–3, or 5–3–1–7, what keeps your ear from interpreting that first note as the root simply because it’s the first note played?

I live in an apartment with thin shared walls, and I can hear my neighbors talking, coughing, and playing music. Is there any effective way to reduce the noise coming into my apartment? How well do moving blankets work if I hang them on the wall? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I read a post last night where someone inquired about air pollution in Chiang Mai, which piqued my interest. I'm always interested in the long-term effects of air pollution on people who are exposed to it. Do a high percentage of people living in Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas suffer from asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory illnesses and diseases? Is it common to see people using an inhaler in public? I have asthma, and although I hear a lot of good things about Chiang Mai, I’m hesitant to visit northern Thailand.