Guitar: Lesson 26
Aural Awareness
By Zack Cart
Prerequisites :
You should be able to understand and perform the concepts and techniques outlined in the following lessons before attempting this lesson:
Guitar: Lessons 1-25
Music Theory: Lessons 1-16
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This Guitar Lesson will continue in the vein of exploring the fundamentals of basic melodic improvisation. In the previous two lessons we focused on hearing which notes fit perfectly into the harmony of a given chord, which notes produce interesting effects against the harmony of a chord, and which ones just sound kind of, well, less than desirable. In this lesson, we will continue to expand that concept, but will, as a more demanding hearing exercise, completely remove the aids of scale, key, and repetition.
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The goal of this lesson will be to force you to really focus on the sound of what you are playing. Many people approach improvisation from the structured theory of chord-scale relationships, and assume that a nuanced ear will automatically follow from such training, or leave pure training of the ear while improvising to later times, as a more advanced practice.
Many musicians though, actually begin improvisation with absolutely NO idea what they are doing. They may not even have learned a true scale, but just get used to playing certain notes, all at the dictation of their ears. Frequently, musicians will progress from here to learning about chord structure, harmony, and how the notes of a melody both play off of and are a part of the above. Ideally, after years of dedicated theory, a musician should begin to arrive back at something resembling their original method, of just playing what they want to hear, and not considering the scales/modes/linear or vertical patterns/whatever involved. Hopefully, the intervening (and continuing!) theoretical study and practice will remain intact and bring their playing to a higher and more comprehensively expressive level, than purely learning to play "by ear."
So, with this lesson, we will try to continue to insert this goal, of playing by ear, into the midst of our theory exercises. The drill which I will introduce momentarily, is one that should be practiced now, later on during your more structured explorations, and continuously over the remainder of your time as a musician! It's a great drill, possibly the second most important exercise for any musician (in my opinion) after transcription. (The practice of notating on paper what you hear.)
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Without further ado: the exercise.
This exercise will seem quite similar to the previous two. It is! However, what seems to be close on paper will prove to be a completely different experience in practice.
To begin with, you must be comfortable with a relatively large variety of chords. You should, if you have been taking your time with both my preceding Guitar Technique and Music Theory lessons, be familiar with a slew of traditional "campfire chords," those played in the first few frets, generally utilizing open strings. You should know several basic movable major and minor chords shapes, opening up dozens of possible chords. You should understand, be able to create, and be quite familiar with a variety of seventh chord types and playable shapes, as well as chords utilizing extended harmony. You'll need all of these. If you have, say, one hundred chords you can play currently, that's great. If you only have twenty-five or so, not as good, but no matter. Learn more, more, more, and continue to use this drill; the more chords you can play, the more valuable (and difficult) this drill will get. Thus, the better for you!
Without any planning, start your recording apparatus recording, and begin to play completely spontaneous chords. Don't worry much about timing, although you can certainly add that later. Just play each chord, let it ring for a few seconds, and then play a new, unrelated chord. The chords should NOT be related by key. Just play any old chord, wait a couple seconds, play a new one, wait, a new one. Try as much as possible not to repeat chords. Certainly don't repeat sequences of chords. Keep recording until you have at least five to seven minutes, but feel free to go as long as you like.
This part of the exercise will be a test of just how many chord shapes you have actually studied to the point that the come naturally to you. If you find that you can only think of a few on the fly, practice more! If you find that you can play endless streams of fascinating chords, never repeating, always interesting and new, well, great! You should still continue to explore your instrument, however.
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The second part of the exercise, is to play melodies over these chords. Because they are unrelated by key, you will not be able to play a single scale over all of them. Just forget about (for the moment) scales, and try to play notes that sound good, to you.
The first few times you do this exercise, don't really try to play anything very melodic. Just try to hit a note that works with the current chord, and then shift to a new note that fits the next chord. (Or stay on the same note if you wish, and it continues to fit.) At first, try to play only notes that sound really at home, in other words, chord tones. The next time through, try to play more interesting notes, generally extensions. As you continue to gain confidence with the exercise, feel free to move beyond such constraints, and try to play simple melodic lines and ideas. However, the primary focus, no matter how many years you do this for, should be on really hearing how the notes you are playing sound, without planning on using or certain scale or arpeggio, and without knowing what chord will come next.
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As you progress, you will begin to be able to play melodies that are interesting enough on their own to actually tie the unrelated chords together into something quite musical! Continue to play with this idea, recording new sequences, getting more involved with your melodies, learning new chords, and never stop. Try this exercise with a musical friend, taking turns playing the chords and the melody, to take things to a new level of spontaneity and complexity. It's ok when these sessions break down into all out jams, too! (Though possibly not as intense a workout for your ears!) While future lessons will snap back into more concrete, theory-based practice, this exercise, and any permutations of it you may devise, should remain an important part of your musical study.
This lesson has been brought to you by:
WWW.CANTONVILLAGEME.COM
Canton Village
Chinese Restaurant
Established 1985
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428 Water Street
Gardiner, Maine 04345
Tel: (207) 582-1396
or (207) 582-1421
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Business Hours
Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
All you can Eat buffet!!
( We do not Accept Checks)
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Reservations Available
10% Senior Citizen Discount
Dine in Only
Excluding Children Plates
We Use 100% Vegetable Oil in Cooking
Most of our dishes are prepared without
MSG. However, a small number of
Items do contain small amounts of MSG
Not Responsible for Lost Articles
* Indicates Hot & Spicy
Pu Pu Platter- for 1 & 2 or 3
Beef Teriyaki, Boneless Ribs, Chicken Teriyaki,
Egg Rolls, Chicken Fingers, Chicken Wings and Crab Rangoon
Served for One $15.25
Served for Two $25.95
Served for Three $32.95
Specials: Get 50% OFF large fried rice of your choice with purchase of Pu Pu two OR three not including Young Chow Fried Rice Substitutions (Including Fried Shrimp)
Pu Pu Platter 1& 2 Substitutions: $1.00 Each
Pu Pu Platter for 1 without Fried Rice - $14.75
Pu Pu Platter for 2 without Fried Rice - $24.95
Pu Pu Platter for Three without Fried Rice - $32.95
Egg Rolls------------------(1)---$
Spring Rolls---------------(1)--$2.95---(2)---$5.75
Fried Wontons-------Large--$5.50
Fried Dough-----------(10)--$4.50—(
Chicken Teriyaki---------(3)--$8.25---
Beef Teriyaki-------------(3)--$8.95---(6)---$14.25
Fried Jumbo Shrimps---(3)--$7.50---(6)---$10.75
Boneless Ribs-------Large $12.95
Chicken Wings -----(4)----$9.95-----(8)
Buffalo Chicken Wings-Small-$11.95-Large-$18.95
Honey Barbecue Chicken Wings Small-
Scallion Pancake-------Large $7.95
Fried Baby Shrimps----------------------$8.95
Chicken Nugget------------------------
Onion Ring ------------------------------
French Fries-------------------------
Mini Crispy Roll (10) -----------------------$7.50
Wonton Chip ------$5.50
APPETIZER COMBINATIONS
Appetizers (each substitution Extra $100)
1. Egg Roll, Beef Teriyaki, Chicken Fingers
2. Egg Roll, Chicken Wings, Fried Shrimp
Wonton Soup-------------Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Egg Drop Soup-----------Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
* Hot and Sour Soup----Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Noodle Soup w/Chicken------Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Noodle Soup w/Pork----Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Noodle Soup w/Wontons---Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
Chinese Vegetable Soup---Small--$4.25---Large--$7.75
FRIED RICE
Meatless Fried Rice--Small-$7.75--Large-$9.25
Vegetable Fried Rice--Small-$8.25--Large-$9.95
Mushroom Fried Rice-------Small-$8.25--Large-
Pork Fried Rice-------Small-$8.25--Large-
Chicken Fried Rice---Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Beef Fried Rice-------Small-$8.95--Large-
Shrimp Fried Rice---Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Ham Fried Rice------Small-$8.95--Large-$
Subgum Pork Fried Rice------Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Subgum Chicken Fried Rice----Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Subgum Beef Fried Rice-----Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
Subgum Shrimp Fried Rice----Small-$8.95--Large-$10.50
House Special Fried Rice---Small-$9.50--Large-$10.50
Young Chow Fried Rice-----Small-$9.95--Large$11.95
(Fried White Rice with Egg, Pork, Ham & Shrimp.)
*Szechuan Spicy Fried Rice-Small-$9.50—Large $10.95
CANTONS PARTY PLATTER $89.95
80 Piece Hors d'oevres includes:
FREE LG Pork Fried Rice
FREE (20) Fried Dough
FREE LG Wonton Chip
6 Beef Teriyaki
6 Chicken Teriyaki
10 Small Egg Rolls
6 Pork Dumplings (Fried or Steamed)
13 Crab Rangoon
13 Chicken Fingers
8 Chicken Wings
(Cannot be comined w. any other coupons)
Fried or Steamed Dumpling
Pork Dumpling------$8.55
Vegetable Dumpling----$8.55
Chicken Dumpling-----$8.55
LO MEIN
Lo Mein------Small--$9.50--Large-
(Chicken, Pork, Vege or Ham)
Lo Mein------Small--$9.95--Large-
(Beef or Shrimp)
House Special Lo Mein----Small--$9.95--Large-$12.95
Pan Soft Noodle--Small--$7.95--Large-$
*Szechuan Spicy Lo Mein-Small-$9.95-Large-$12.95
Plain Lo Mein------Small--$7.95--Large-
PORK
Pork with Vegetables-------$11.25
Szechuan Pork-------$11.95
Lobster Sauce------------------
Chicken or Beef
Pepper Steak-------------------------
Beef with Broccoli----------------------
Beef with Mushrooms-------------------$
Beef with Pea Pods----------------------$14.25
Beef with Vegetable---------------------
Beef with Cashews----------------------$14.25
*Curry Beef with Onion---------------$14.25
*Curry Chicken with Onion---------------$14.25
* Chicken with Peking Sauce-------------$14.25
* Szechuan Chicken------------------------$14.25
Moo Goo Gai Pan---------------------------
Chicken with Vegetable---------------------
Chicken with Mushrooms---------------------
Chicken with Broccoli---------------------
MEI FUN
(Thin Rice Noodle)
Vegetable Mei Fun----Small--$9.95---Large--
Chicken Mei fun-----Small--$9.95---Large--$11.95
Pork Mei Fun-----Small--$9.95—Large-$11.95
Shrimp Mei Fun----Small---$10.50----Large-
Beef Mei Fun---Small---$10.50---Large---
House Mei Fun---Small---$10.50---Large---
Singapore Mei Fun with Curry
(Chicken, Pork, Shrimp)---Small---$10.50----
CHOW
(Flat Rice Noodle)
Vegetable or Chicken or Pork or Ham-----$12.50
Beef or Shrimp or House Special------$13.50
HOUSE SPECIALTIES
Small or Large Order are Served
(With White Rice or Pork Fried Rice)
(No rice with H2, H6, H18, H19)
H 1. LOBSTER SHRIMP KEW
Lobster Meat and Shrimp Sauteed
Expertly with Chinese Vegetables.
$20.95
H 2. GAI POO LO MEIN
Chunks of Chicken Fried in Batter,
Blended with Slices of Beef, Ham,
Shrimp and Chinese Vegetables,
Served on a Platter of Lo Mein.
$20.95
H 3. BLACK PEPPER CHICKEN
Strips of Chicken Grill with Onion,
Green Pepper.
$16.50
H 4. DIAMOND HEAD
Lobster, Shrimp, Pork, and Chicken
Sauteed with Peapods, Mushrooms,
Water Chestnuts and
Chinese Vegetables
$20.95
H 5. FOUR HAPPINESS
Roast Pork, Beef, Shrimp,
Chicken Meat sauteed with
Chinese Vegetables.
$20.95
H 7. TREASURE ISLAND
Beef, Jumbo Shrimp, Pork,
Mushrooms, Water Chestnuts,
and Chinese Vegetables sauteed with
Golden Chicken Fingers.
$20.95
H 8. SEAFOOD ISLANDER
Jumbo Shrimp, Lobster and
Scallops sauteed with
Chinese Vegetables and Our
Special House Sauce.
$20.95
H 9. HO YO GAI POO
Golden fried Chicken Fingers
Served with Lobster, Ham,
Beef, Chinese Vegetables and
Oyster Sauce.
$20.95
H 10. * GENERAL CHICKEN
Chicken sautéed with Green Peppers,
Onions and our Chef’s Special Sauce.
Small $13.95
Large $17.50
H 11. SESAME CHICKEN
Chicken and Sesame served with
Our Homemade Sauce.
Small $13.95
Large $17.50
H 12. * ORANGE CHICKEN
Morsels of Tender Chicken,
Sautéed with Orange Peel to
Import a Subtle Taste.
Small $13.95
Large $17.50
H 13. MONGOLIAN BEEF
Beef, Green Peppers, Peapods,
Onions and Mushrooms in a
Special Mongolian Sauce.
Small $14.50
Large $17.95
H 14. MONGOLIAN BEEF AND CHICKEN
Beef, Chicken, Green Peppers,
Peapods, onions and Mushrooms
in a Special Mongolian Sauce.
Small $14.50
Large $17.95
H 15. MONGOLIAN CHICKEN
Chicken, Green Peppers, Peapods,
Onions, Mushrooms in a Special
Mongolian Sauce.
Small $13.95
Large 17.50
H 18. SEAFOOD LO MEIN
Lobster, Scallops, Jumbo Shrimp
and Chinese Vegetables served
on a bed of Pan Soft Noodles.
$20.95
H 19. BALI ISLAND
Beef and Jumbo Scallops
Sautéed with Peapod,
Water Chestnuts,
Mushrooms and
Chinese Vegetables
Served on a bed of
Soft Noodles.
$20.95
H20. SESAME BEEF
Crispy Slice Beef with
Sesame Sauce
Small---$14.50
Large---$17.95
EGG FOO YOUNG (With white rice.)
Meatless Egg Foo Young----------------------$9.75
Pork Egg Foo Young-------------------------
Beef Egg Foo Young-------------------------
Chicken Egg Foo Young-----------------------$
Shrimp Egg Foo Young------------------------$
Ham Egg Foo Young-------------------------
Mushroom Egg Foo Young--------------------$10.75
Vegetable Egg Foo Young----------------------$10.75
House Special Egg Foo Young----------------$11.25
SWEET AND SOUR
(With white rice.)
Sweet and Sour Pork--------------------------
Sweet and Sour Chicken----------------------$
Sweet and Sour Shrimp-----------------------$
Sweet and Sour Combination---------------$13.95
SEAFOOD
Shrimp with Lobster Sauce----------------$14.25
Shrimp with Mushrooms-------------------$14.25
Shrimp with Broccoli----------------------
Shrimp with Peapods-----------------------
Shrimp with Vegetables--------------------
*Shrimp with Garlic Sauce------------------$14.25
Baby Shrimp with Cashews-----------------$14.25
*Szechuan Baby Shrimp---------------------$14.25
*Shrimp with Peking Sauce-----------------$14.25
VEGETABLE
Mixed Vegetable------------------$10.95
Snow Peapods with Broccoli--$10.95
*Broccoli with Garlic Sauce--$10.95
*Bean Curd Szechuan Style--$12.25
Family Style Bean Curd------$12.25
Deep Fried Slice Bean Curd with Pork
and Mix Vegetable
*General Tso's Bean Curd--$12.25
LO MEIN COMBINATION PLATES-ALL DAY
Appetizers (each substitution Extra $1.00)
L 1. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Chicken Fingers $10.25
L 2. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Chicken Wings $10.25
L
3. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Egg
Roll
L 4. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Beef Teriyaki $10.95
L 5. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Fried Shrimp $10.25
L 6. Pork or Vegetable Lo Mein, Boneless Ribs
$10.25
L
7. Shrimp Lo Mein, Egg
Roll
L 8. Beef Lo Mein, Crab Rangoons
L 9. Mushroom Lo Mein, Chicken Wings
L 10. Chicken Lo Mein, Egg Roll
L 11. House Lo Mein, Crab Rangoons
L 12. Ham Lo Mein, Chicken Fingers
CHILDREN’S PLATES
E
1. Egg Roll, Fried Rice or French
Fries
$6.95
E 2. Chicken Fingers, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
E 4. Beef Teriyaki, Fried Rice or French Fries $7.95
E 5. Chicken Teriyaki, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.50
E 7. Chicken Nugget, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
E 8. Crab Rangoons, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
E 9. Onion Ring, Fried Rice or French Fries $6.95
CHOW
MEIN
OR
CHOP SUEY
(Served with Noodles) (Served with
Steamed Rice.)
Meatless Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$8.55----Large---
Pork Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Beef Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicken Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Shrimp Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$
Vegetable Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Pork Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Beef Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Shrimp Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Chicago Chicken Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Pork Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Beef Chow Mein or Chop Suey
Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Chicken Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
Subgum Shrimp Chow Mein or Chop Suey Small----$9.50----Large----$10.75
LUNCH SPECIALS-Served All Day with Pork Fried Rice
APPETIZERS (Each Substitution Extra $1.00)
1. Pork Chow Mein, Egg Roll-------------$9.95
2. Subgum Pork Chow Mein, Egg Roll--$9.95
3. Pork Egg Foo Young, Chicken Wings-$10.95
4. Beef Chop Suey, Chicken Wings-------$10.95
5. Pork with Mushrooms,
Chicken Fingers-----------------------
6.Peppers Steak, with Onion Chicken Wings-$10.95
7. Lobster Sauce, Egg Roll------------------$9.95
8. Sweet & Sour Pork, Chicken Wings-----$10.95
9. Sweet & Sour Chicken, Egg Roll---------$10.95
10. Pork Chow Mein, Chicken Fingers------$9.95
11. Beef Teriyaki, Chicken Fingers----------$10.95
12. Fried Shrimp, Chicken Wings------------$10.95
13. Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Roll------------$9.95
14. Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken Fingers---$9.95
15. Chicken Chow Mein, Fried Shrimp-------$9.95
16. Pork Chop Suey, Beef Teriyaki------------$
17. Shrimp Chop Suey, Egg Roll--------------$10.95
18. Beef with Mushroom, Egg Roll-----------$10.95
19. Moo Goo Gai Pan, Egg Roll---------------$10.95
20.Shrimp w/ Lobster Sauce, Crab Rangoon-$10.95
21. *Szechuan Pork, Chicken Teriyaki-------$10.95
22. *Szechuan Chicken, Egg Roll--------------$10.95
23. *Szechuan Beef, Egg Roll------------------$10.95
24. *Szechuan Shrimp, Crab Rangoon--------$10.95
25.*Pork w/ Peking Sauce, Chicken Teriyaki-$10.95
26.*Chicken w/Peking Sauce, Crab Rangoon-$10.95
27. *Beef with Peking Sauce, Egg Roll--------$10.95
28. *Shrimp with Peking Sauce, Egg Roll----$10.95
29.*Pork with Garlic Sauce, Chicken Fingers-$10.95
30.*Chicken w/ Garlic Sauce, Boneless Ribs-$10.95
31. *Beef w/ Garlic Sauce, Crab Rangoons----$10.95
32.*Shrimp with Garlic Sauce, Egg Roll-------$10.95
33. Chicken with Broccoli, Egg Roll-----------$10.95
34.*General Tso’s Chicken or Sesame Chicken$9.25
(Sesame Chicken is not Hot and Spicy.)
35. Beef with Broccoli, Egg Roll----------------$10.95
36. Crab Rangoons, Chicken Finger-----------$10.95
37. Chicken w/ Cashew Nuts, Crab Rangoons-$10.95
38. *General Tso’s Bean Curd--------------------$9.25
HEALTH FOOD with White Rice
Steamed Mixed Vegetable---------------------
Steamed Chicken w/ Vegetables or Broccoli--$11.95
Steamed Shrimp w/ Vegetables or Broccoli--$12.95
COMBINATION DINNERS
Served all day with Pork Fried Rice
Appetizers (substitution Extra /$1.00)
D1. Egg Roll, Chicken Wing, Beef Teriyaki $12.75
D2. Egg Roll, Chicken Fingers, Beef Teriyaki $12.75
D3. Egg Roll, Boneless Ribs, Chicken Wings $12.75
D4. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Wings, Beef Teriyaki $12.75
D5. Boneless Ribs, Fried Shrimp,
Chicken
Wings $12.75
D6. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Fingers,
Beef
Teriyaki $12.75
D7. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Fingers,
Chicken Wings $12.75
D8. Sweet & Sour Pork, Boneless Ribs,
Egg
Roll
$12.75
D9. Sweet & Sour Chicken, Egg Roll
Chicken
Wings $12.75
D10.
Sesame Chicken, Egg
Roll
D11. *General Tso’s Chicken, Chicken Wings
$
D12. *Orange Chicken, Crab Rangoon
$11.95
D13. Mongolian Chicken, Chicken Fingers
$11.95
D14. Mongolian Beef, Crab Rangoons
D15. Mongolian Beef and Chicken, Egg Roll
$11.95
D16. Chicken with Broccoli, Egg Roll,
Crab
Rangoon $13.25
D17.
Boneless Ribs, Egg Roll, Chicken
Teriyaki
$12.75
D18. Egg Roll, Wings, Chicken Fingers,
Boneless Ribs, Chicken
Teriyaki
$12.75
D19. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Teriyaki
D20. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Wings
D21. Boneless Ribs, Chicken Fingers
D22. Beef with Broccoli, Egg Roll, Chicken
Fingers $13.25
D23. Chicken with Peapods, Egg Roll,
Chicken Fingers
$13.25
D24. Moo Goo Gai Pan, Chicken Teriyaki,
Egg
Roll
$
D25. Pork or Chicken Chow Mein, Egg Roll
Crab
Rangoon $13.25
D26. Chicken or Pork Lo Mein, Crab Rangoon
D27. Shrimp or Beef Lo Mein, Chicken
Finger
$11.95
D28. Pork or Chicken Egg Foo Young,
Egg Roll, Chicken
Finger $13.25
SIDE ORDERS
Duck
Sauce-Small
75 cents-Medium--$1.50-Large-$3.
Sweet and Sour Sauce Small
75 cents-Medium--$1.50-Large-$3.
White Rice—Small $3.75----------------------
Gravy-------------------------
Dry Noodle------------------------
Dumpling Sauce-------------------------------------75 cents