Lee Oskar Harmonicas

Lee Oskar Harmonicas is a manufacturer of superior quality, top selling harmonicas since 1983. The best harmonicas for singer/songwriters. Designed by a pro, For All. For Life.

standard
tuning

Major Diatonic- Learn More -

BLUES, FOLK, ROCK, COUNTRY, POP

The Major Diatonic is the standard Blues tuning.

altered
tuning

Melody Maker™- Learn More -

R&B, COUNTRY, REGGAE, POP, JAZZ, LATIN, AFRO, CLAVE, SKA

The Melody Maker™, with its three altered notes, is great for playing Major scale melodies.
(Not recommended for BLUES)

altered
tuning

Natural Minor- Learn More -

MINOR BLUES, REGGAE, SKA, LATIN, FUNK, R&B, HIP HOP

The Natural Minor, with its five altered notes, is a natural choice for playing minor music.

altered
tuning

Harmonic Minor- Learn More -

EASTERN EUROPEAN, GYPSY, YIDDISH, ASIAN, TANGO, REGGAE

The Harmonic Minor, with its five altered notes, is ideal for playing World Music.

What is an ‘Altered Tuning’?

Lee Oskar developed three altered tunings, with different notes and scales, so that players could enjoy playing different musical styles and genres with ease, rather than straining to learn highly advanced techniques on a Major Diatonic.

More

Thanks to these altered tunings, harmonica players can enjoy easy access to a much wider range of sound, expression and artistry.  Furthermore, the innovative Lee Oskar Harmonicas System features interchangeable reed plates so that you can create other tunings as well!

Altered tunings are the fastest and easiest way to find a more expressive new sound. Why struggle with advanced playing techniques, such as bends and overblows on a standard harmonica? Our altered tunings give you notes you won’t find on any standard Major Diatonic harp. Lee Oskar altered tunings make it easy to play many different genres of music while you explore new musical directions. Owning a variety of Lee Oskar Harmonica tunings makes playing more fun, spontaneous and versatile.

For example, if you want to play Blues, Rock, Pop or Country music on the harmonica, we recommend using the Major Diatonic harmonica, the standard tuning.

If you want to play single note melodies, or Reggae, R&B, Country, Latin, Afro, Clave, Ska and Jazz Standards, we recommend using the Melody Maker™ harmonica.

If you want to play soulful minor Blues, Reggae, Latin, Funk and Hip Hop music, we recommend using the Natural Minor harmonica.

If you want to play world music such as the sounds of Eastern Europe, Gypsy, Yiddish, Asian, Tango and Reggae music, we recommend using the Harmonic Minor harmonica.

It is very important to understand the different playing positions used in the Lee Oskar Harmonicas System.

Lee Oskar Music News

Lee-Oskar-She-Said-Mahalo-640px

Available Now!

Seattle, WA — Dreams We Share Productions dreamsweshare.com is proud to announce the release of harmonica legend/composer Lee Oskar’s new album “She Said Mahalo” available on September 15th, 2023. The ten-track album of Lee Oskar’s original compositions includes rich instrumentations featuring Oskar’s signature harmonica and many other outstanding musicians, including those who perform with Oskar regularly as Lee Oskar & Friends: Darian Asplund (Saxophone); Andrew Cloutier (Drums); Denali Williams (Percussion); Dean Schmidt (Bass); Brian Monroney (Guitar); Alex Mortland (Guitar); Andrew Joslyn (Strings); and Mack Grout (Keys and Piano); as well as special guest artists: Takahiro Miyazaki (Saxophone and flute); Paul Hanson (Bassoon); Randy Oxford (Trombone) Harold Brown (Drums, Percussion); Thin Diop (Percussion); Joe Doria (Organ); Phil Peterson (Strings); “Sancho” Youichrou Suzuki (Shakuhachi) and Mayo Higa (Shamisen).

Listen & Order
Stream She Said Mahalo

Dreams We Share Records dreamsweshare.com is proud to announce the release of harmonica legend/composer Lee Oskar’s latest single Funky Rhetoric . Featured on Lee Oskar’s latest album “She Said Mahalo“, available everywhere.

Stream Funky Rhetoric

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Lee Oskar Harmonicas - Exploded View
Lee Oskar Harmonicas was founded in 1983 by harmonica virtuoso Lee Oskar, in collaboration with Tombo Mfg of Japan, a multi-generational manufacturer known for excellence since 1917. Globally recognized for innovation, superior craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail, Lee Oskar Harmonicas pioneered an interchangeable system of reed plates, combs and cover plates that has become the industry’s gold standard.

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Resources

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Support

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