A great harp to blow those minor blues as well as ethnic and modal sounds.

Natural Minor harps have a very bluesy, soulful sound that's perfect for playing blues, rock, country, reggae, pop, and jazz. This fabulous tuning is set up to play tunes in minor keys easily without straining the lips, the lungs, or the mind! All of the notes and chords that are missing on major diatonic harps are right there on the Natural Minor. Natural Minors are designed to be played in cross harp (draw), not straight harp (blow) position. In cross harp, many of the draw notes can be bent and this allows for a much more expressive, fluid style of playing. Cross harp is a very popular style used by most players for today's music.

Built in Japan to his exacting standards and incorporating new techniques and materials, it was in 1983 that Lee Oskar introduced his new harmonica. The radically different harp design grew out of Lee's frustration with the lack of quality and consistency in the mouth harps of the day. The design also benefited from Oskar's insights as a seasoned recording and touring pro.

The Dane's Design
Central to Oskar's design is a smooth plastic comb that doesn't swell like traditional wood combs. Aside from being easier to keep clean, the plastic comb is impervious to the swelling of conventional harmonica wood combs that can tear up the player's lips. By making affordable replacement reed plates available, Oskar's harps can be easily refurbished. You no longer need to toss out a harmonica because a reed or two has gone south. Replacement reed plates are available for every model in the Lee Oskar harmonica lineup and installation is easy since they mount to the comb with just three self-tapping screws. The reed plates have wide chambers and narrow dividers for faster, easier playing. A precision-molded, recessed bed holds the reed plate securely to prevent air leakage and project a bigger sound. The corrosion-proof, stainless steel cover plates are also engineered for excellent projection and tone. (Replacement cover plates are also available.) Lee Oskar harmonicas are tuned to 441-plus hertz for a brighter sound. With equal tuning by octaves, Lee Oskar harps have excellent intonation for blowing highly articulate, single-note leads.

More Keys and Modesbr> Lee's innovation didn't stop with a better-designed harp. Recognizing the need for harmonicas tuned in other than the major and natural minor diatonic scales, he introduced the Melody Maker and Harmonic Minor series that make it easier to play melodies difficult if not impossible to play with a standard diatonic harmonica. Another indication of Oskar's hard-won knowledge as a touring pro: Each harp is clearly marked in bright white on both ends with its first- and second-position (straight and cross-harp) keys. Each harmonica box is color-coded according to its series and also displays its key prominently. If you've ever struggled to find the right harp on a darkened stage, you will appreciate this simple yet essential touch.

About Lee Oskar
Even if you don't recognize Lee Oskar by name, if you've listened to pop radio much, you've probably heard his highly personal mouth harp style on War hits like "The Cisco Kid," "Low Rider," and "Why Can't We Be Friends." Oskar's staccato phrasing and uncanny tone—put to great use blowing horn-like unison riffs with saxman Charles Miller—gave War's funky stew of Latino, Caribbean, African, jazz, rock, and R&B elements a distinctive lead voice. This was especially true after the departure of vocalist Eric Burdon. The former Animals singer had been a focal point for War on early hits like "Spill The Wine." The band's eclectic and fluent mix of genres proved a rich fount leading to a string of '70s and '80s hits, usually with Oskar's distinctive harp riffs providing the signature sound.

Lee Oskar Natural Minor Harmonica Features:

• Designed by a harp master
• All key components are replaceable
• Smooth plastic mouthpiece is easy on the lips

If the thrill is gone, get it back by ordering some Natural Minor Harmonicas in all the keys you need.

Lee Oskar Natural Minor Harmonica

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Average of 12 User Ratings

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Sure, why not?

Posted by Bryan Bridges from virginia on May 16, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active

Reviewer's Play Style: folk/rock

LO makes great harps, comparable to the Special 20, with a few slight differences. One reviewer says they sound "sad", well it's what you put into it that makes the outcome, I think. The minor scale can be used for pensiveness, or a meditative joy- it's what you put into it that makes it emotional. Of course, you can play minor keys on a regular diatonic by cross-harp, but these provide a few really easy to hit notes that flow easily for a beginner. Hard to play strait scale on these, though, I wouldn't know how to do it. You can get three keys out of each harp, though, just like a regular diatonic, by slant/straight/cross harp playing. They can take hard playing, plastic comb, and the sound can be good if you work with the harp. They have sticky, squeaky reeds if you're trying to play as if they were a hohner or seydel, but if you play it like a LO, you can get around the squeaks, and it will be flawless. Great for the money X 100.

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Under stand what your buying/ what you need

Posted by Harpoon Man from Texas Gulf coast on Apr 10, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Country, Country Gospel

I write this review to help the next buyer get the harp they need. If your guitarist is playing in Am, and you want to play cross harp style you should buy the Am harp. Green labled "minor tuned" harps are listed like this. I bought several and just counted up 4 steps like I always do and the key isn't right with these minor tuned harps. Food for thought. They sound cool. We play Tom Petty's "Last dance with Mary Jane" in Am and this harp blends right in.

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It's so sad it makes me smile

Posted by Brosef from Council-tucky, IA on Feb 19, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Play at church

Reviewer's Play Style: Praise and worship

I purchased one of these keyed to Cm (basically a F major harp with several altered notes to produce the minor scale). It was one of the first harmonicas I owned and it is still my favorite. It bends extremely well and is incredible to play. It can still be used on minor songs without making everyone who hears it depressed. I really recommend it to any player wanting to do more with a harmonica.

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Try these!

Posted by Rambler from Midwest on Jan 15, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, folk, etc

You will enjoy trying this harp. I use them for blues and Rock & Roll and they work well. The company is very helpful too. Well made, easy to clean and care for- no wood.

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very sad sound dude

Posted by fenderbluesman from Pittsburgh, PA on Apr 1, 2007

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock, Blues, Folk

Yeah...I'm used to playin upbeat, fun blues and this dang thing sounds sad. I hardly play it just cause of how depressing it sounds dude. If u think that NATURAL minor means much, it doesn't. this thing should be played at a funeral.

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Lee Oskar Natural Minor Harmonica

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