Lee Oskar Harmonicas Explained

Lee Oskar presents the Lee Oskar Harmonica series. Lee Oskar was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1948 and received his first harmonica at the age of six. In his late teens, Oskar traveled to America, where he formed the popular funk band War. Lee's iconic hook in the song "Low Rider" is arguably the most memorable harmonica part in rock history. In 1983, Lee formed Lee Oskar Harmonica, crafting harps suited to common genres of music such as blues, rock, country, reggae, pop, and jazz, as well as less common genres such as Eastern European, Gypsy, Yiddish, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European/American folk music.
Check out Lee Oskar Harmonicas at Sweetwater here: www.sweetwater.com/store/manuf...

[@muttley8818]

Brilliant lesson from a brilliant harp player.

[@MrJarrod]

Been playing guitar for 20 years now. But always loved harmonicas for their portability. Thought I start learning it now at 47 years old.

[@danroley7850]

yes ..you are Nearly Finished. Get Real. In most Asian Nations that 70 yr mark is Much Respected. Why? get off that Crak.

[@dumperdan3446]

I think dan roley has a stick up his butt the day he left this comment

[@elikingofrockrollharmonica114]

If your desire is to learn how to play the harmonica .... I say that (play) lightly .... because ..... no one (for the moment that is ... and I'm here to teach anyone that is willing to listen to me (I'm 80 .... and if the world keeps refusing to listen to me .... for one little measly minute it takes anyone, how to learn the one simple rule (secret right now) needed ..... they (the whole world) will never know how to play a harmonica with the teacher gone to heaven) ...... out of almost 8 billion people in the whole wide world ..... I have failed to get anyone's interest ...... This is the very reason there are "NO"/none/not one harmonica in a real band. Actually there should be four different style harmonicas being played in "EVERY" real band (just like some bands have as high as seven different guitars being played at the same time, because there are at least seven ways/styles of guitar players needed in that song .... (blues harmonica players have their own band that only plays for the harmonica being played .... where as .... in a real band ie: The Eagles, Elvis, Journey etc ... the harmonica is there to play in/with & for the band ...... too ..... make the singer/the song sound good (and "NEVER" to make the harmonica the only/or MAIN attraction. So/and, this is another reason there has never been a harmonica song in the "TOP" 100 chart ....not even for one day. Got it????? Now check out, and enjoy my Elvis song … Eli "King of Rock & Roll Harmonica". Enjoy and subscribe: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ome7qIx4pMiqpNE&pbjreload=10

[@99crossy]

@@elikingofrockrollharmonica114 What a dumb statement! Not one band with harmonica made top 100?? Only blues bands with songs for harmonica. Without thinking too much I’ll say maybe... The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder (chromatic hale of course) Super Tramp, Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Toots Thielmans, Yard Birds, Bob Dylan, even the Spice Girls!!

[@jimlaws3985]

@@elikingofrockrollharmonica114 check out BLUES TRAVELER!

[@stonehand49]

Love your harmonica and your playing. 52 years of playing.. always learning. " City country city!!"

[@funkymonk984]

Melodic Minor: "The only way you get happy with this is you speed up the music". I love his take on things.

I've had bass guitar lessons in the past. Now that I'm taking up both diatonic as well as chromatic harmonica, I've seen various videos. So far, Mr. Oskar has given me the best musical theory lesson ever. A great musician, teacher, & a real gentleman.

[@mattbod]

Brilliant tutorial and his harmonicas are great quality and value.

[@austinknowlton1783]

Love my Lee Oskars. One thing I didn't hear mentioned is that they are tuned to 441 for a brighter tone.

[@jsc1227]

War was aphenomenal band, lee oscar was a great great harmonica player, watch the band videos from the 1970s 80s, just incredible

[@stevesandoval4918]

Still learning after all these years! Thanks for the free lesson! 🎼🌎✌➡️🎶

[@dorian3260]

I met Lee at Moe's Fullerton Music in 1997. He taught me more in twenty minutes than I learned on my own in twenty years. I still use his harps. I like the big holes!

[@andydunn5673]

👍

[@mrmaticuluos]

Bought my first Lee Oskar in Austin, TX... around 1986 for around $13.50. Loved it! I've blown a lot of reeds on Honers. Have yet to blow a reed on a L.O. First thing I noticed was I could play it louder and harder if I wanted to and it didn't take as much wind to play. Also when I play the Hohner for a while the reeds started swelling up and tearing my lips up. I really like the feel of the Lee Oskar. Never bought another Honer since. Thank you Lee! I've been telling every harp player that I meet for the last 30+ years you've gotta try Lee Oskar, he's taken the science of the harmonica to a whole new level.

[@bahons72]

I'm assuming you meant to say 'comb swelling up' rather than the "reeds"because I experienced the same problem with the Marine Band Hohner I bought.

[@mrmaticuluos]

@@bahons72 yes, my bad...the combs swelled up. 😊

[@sanfranciscobay]

The Master speaks. Pay attention folks.

[@1oolabob]

He really is a master of harmonica, but down to earth, not full of rock star attitude. Pay very, VERY close attention folks.

[@michaelpdawson]

Love these harps!

[@MartinLinhartHarpPlayer]

Excellent explanation, excellent harp quality! Only "Tombo" or "Seydel" can compete!

[@Tom_Quixote]

Maybe because a Lee Oskar harp is made by Tombo... at least it says Tombo on the backside of my Lee Oskar harp that I just bought today.

[@richardyoung5405]

A great explanation and demonstration. Inspiring.

[@kzookid2051]

Great info and demos, thanks. I'm researching which harp to buy, and this gives me a much wider band of knowledge to work with. I hadn't heard about your company until a couple of days ago, and I'm glad I did. Thanks.

[@dumperdan3446]

I think as a beginner stay away from marine band as they tak a bit more to pull and push notes as the have a wood comb. Less airtight

[@ronj9448]

Great explanation. I think I might pick up one of those kits.

[@mikelisacarb]

@mikelisacarb 1 minute ago (edited) Lee Oskar was amazing in the way he used his instrument as an inside voice of the "War" R&B fusion horn section. Nobody else has ever really done that, and it absolutely makes so much musical sense. Once you mic the "harp", the sound can be colored in many ways, but the breathiness is always there in the background. Every once in a while, it peeks up out of the inner texture, but he seldom has it in your face as a constant solo instrument, the way that most blues harp players do. Through most of their songs, you'd swear it was a saxophone. Sometimes you really hear it more as a harmonica, but it always serves the needs of the song! (see him doing his thing at 2:00 ) A real musician's musician, as all of these hit-making guys tended to be! It's all about the groove!

[@jelmervanlenteren773]

Very clear, cheers.

[@alleycat-145]

Great vid,. What make is the condenser mike being used in this vid,. Thanks.

[@lsrrybrumfield723]

exquisite music,

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Just bought one in the key of D. Incredibly loud and easy to play, really needs barely any air. Is Lee speaking in code, because I barely understand a thing he is saying. Played that incredible opening riff on "Magic Mountain". Good enough for me.

[@wg3063]

Just ordered mine and cannot wait to learn it

[@shaunshears]

So true god bless this man x

[@anonymousworld7226]

have the same for 8 years great

[@zpepp4364]

master indeed; I have been trying to learn where to begin, I was really confused until now.

[@rosedavila3547]

LEE OSKAR UR THE BEST U HAV UR OWN STYLE Steve Venegas

[@stevemelendez]

THE MASTER!!!

[@lucasg.9123]

genioooooo

[@craigdunn3231]

I like it

[@himax000]

Now I have much respect for him

[@jonnyspace50]

those shades first

[@FredHWalker]

got you beat Jarrod I am 79 going at it.

[@alidehiles9644]

Hello sir. I am trying to play Prison song from Graham Nash in the key of C minor. I am wondering which harmonica Key I should choose to do so. Thank you

[@PalKrammer]

Question about which key the harp was in when Lee was playing that beautiful harmonic minor piece: the video shows the harmonic minor harp as a C minor harp, but towards the end Lee brings out the package and says it contains "the harmonicas shown here", but then he says A minor. So which harp did he play: a C minor or an A minor? He never actually touches the displayed harmonica, so I don't know what he used. Anyway, whatever it is, I want it!

[@dumperdan3446]

Pál Krammer sounds like c major to me

[@emmamiller1528]

I just bought both G and A melodyMaker, I play a ton of Irish folk tunes, and need Cnat/#, Gnat/#, Fnat/#, Eb, hopefully someone can help me here

[@bobbymeyerti9300]

Yes sir....

[@mooseydeucy]

Lee Oskar as in the group WAR and "City Country City" the classic from early 1970s.

[@dannypearson4348]

Does anyone know the last tune he played please

[@rockyontiveros5150]

Picked up my first L.O. in Austin and can't put it down. Any good video sites I can learn from?

[@jonathanpitman1]

Adam Gussow, Jason Ricci, and Ronnie Shellist for KZbin. David Barrett has a good website. I believe the subscription fee for his website is $60 per month.

[@Me-eb3wv]

@@jonathanpitman1 it used to be 60? I think it is like 16 now

[@jonathanpitman1]

@@Me-eb3wv that's cool. Yeah, it's been a while since I looked at that so you're probably right.

[@jonathanpitman1]

@@Me-eb3wv just looked it up. It is 16.

[@philhampton8294]

I play Harmonica and Guitar. When I play I switch from one to the other. The problem I'm having is seeing what key I need, and I use a lot. What I did was take a felt pen and wrote the the key in a bold letter in the middle of the Harp. Maybe you could put the key stamped into the middle in a big letter? PS I know David Barrett my friend new his family. Look at Phil Hampton Art and Music youtube PS The letter/ key would also let you know the orientation. Have you ever pick up Harp and started playing it upside down! Thanks love the harps that's all I use now I like being able to replace the reeds.

[@emmamiller1528]

Thank you for posting this!

[@crispinlamayan3899]

I live in Cebu City Philippines. I have been using Lee Oskar harmonicas to accompany church music. The Harmonic Minors has allowed me to accompany even those minor church worship music (Eastern European). Most often after the Mass some worshiper would always ask where is that organ or violin sound coming from. And they will be surprised that its that little Lee Oscar blues harp. My minor harps are almost at the end of their service life but unfortunately the harmonic minors are not available in the Philippines or do you dealers or distributors here?

[@austinknowlton1783]

You can order just the reed plates and replace them yourself instead of buying new harps.

[@senzarivali]

Order online from Rockin' Rons Harmonicas. He sends harmonicas all over the world and is a great guy!

[@larrywilliams1209]

Where can I buy this starter kit?

[@Me-eb3wv]

He said it was a limited edition product. They prolly dont make it anymore:(

[@robertbairt928]

What makes a Irish folk Paddy R tune?

[@azure5584]

Rest in peace Bad News Brown.

[@AaronALopez-ov7sn]

Does he use a chromatic harp?

[@richarddouglas8015]

You like

[@sillydillydokieo]

So then with a major diatonic harmonica, for blues, you'd want to pick the harmonica that has the 5th as the key the song is in? Like if your band was playing a straight blues in C, you'd want to use an F major diatonic harmonica? Or you could use the C melody maker and have the mixolydian in 1st position?

[@senzarivali]

Yes, however with MM you need to bend the 5 draw down to get the flat 7th. They are great once you adjust to them, as you can easily get major and make it bluesy. I have tuned a second set of Major Diatonics to make a full set of Melody Makers. Add in a set of Natural Minors for even more fun options. Different tools for different tunes, means you can concentrate on making music with the same or very similar breath patterns on differing reed layouts, leading to a very different melodic feeling.

[@StopFear]

That’s Lee Oskar? Without the mustache I cannot recognize him

[@ayoubhaddioui9769]

Good mouth harps, especially with the tuning variety they provide. Yet, they have one serious drawback that the manufacturing company should overcome; it's the squealing at high-pitch notes, especially when overblown for or overdrawn. Cheers.

[@jonathanpitman1]

Proper technique will eliminate most of that problem and gapping, embossing, reed arching, and sanding the draw reed plate will pretty much take you the rest of the way. The squealing it due to the reeds being different detentions than other reeds. I don't think Lee wants to change this as the unique tone of his harps is largely due to the reeds having these dimensions.

[@davidsantana8623]

Swell

[@a.quachri4899]

2:58

[@Hugo-vp1gn]

El idioma me cloomplica

[@barrysmith4094]

I'm lost with your explanation

[@cggambill]

Savvy!!

[@cggambill]

Sax player (60 years). Just picked up harp. He has done the hard work. The tunings open up a whole new world of possibilities, instantly! The natural minor is killer for blues. (B natural minor for "A Thrill Is Gone" every cover band in the world, always in Bm) Need to get a set of the other tunings.

[@cggambill]

Don't play sax anymore, (60 years is enough) but love to jam with the blues bands in the dive bars. Lee Oskar harps are the bomb!! So easy. Hear it in my head and it just happens with these harps. I blow out the reed plates often, (yeah I know, I play too hard. Don't care, just get new reed plates, so easy)) so the replacements are a great deal!! 1/2 the cost!

[@kenjackben]

the first harmonica I ever got was Lee Oskar I taught myself to play

[@mustamuri]

Jos noista huuliharpuista tulee noin hermosairaaksi kuin Lee Oskar...niin oikeasti...kannattaako ? :-(

[@PolaOpposite]

I'm sure it's a great harp, but I'm betting Lee Oscar could make a hairbrush sound like a symphony.

[@roxanecoste6533]

l

[@monkeyface6139]

If you shut your eyes, its Joe Pesci telling us ! Now... go get your shine box !