Melody Maker™ Harmonica
The Lee Oskar Melody Maker™ Harmonica is the best harp for playing R&B, Reggae, Latin, Pop and Jazz Standards.
The Lee Oskar Melody Maker™ Harmonica is the best harp for playing R&B, Reggae, Latin, Pop and Jazz Standards.
The Melody Maker™ harmonica makes it easier to play Standards and many other songs that can be difficult to play on a Major Diatonic, while producing a very expressive sound. The Melody Maker™ is the best harp available for playing single-note melodies. Because we changed the reeds in draw/inhale and blow/exhale, you can also play beautiful chords on this harp.
With its three altered notes, the Melody Maker™ is intended for playing Major scale melodies in 2nd Position (Cross Harp). In 1st Position (Straight Harp), you can play: Irish, Clave/Afro music. In 2nd Position (Cross Harp), you can play: R&B, Country, Reggae, Pop, Jazz, Latin.
(The Melody Maker™ is NOT recommended for Blues).
Model: 1910MM – Labeled in 2nd Position – Blue Label
Available in 9 Keys (Listed low to high):
C, D, Eb, E, F, G, A, Bb, High C
Although it is possible to play in many keys of music on any one harmonica by using various positions, most players use only the first two positions, 1st Position also known as Straight Harp, (starting from Blow) and 2nd Position also known as Cross Harp (starting from Draw). For more information see: Understanding 1st / 2nd Position
Major Diatonics are key-labeled in 1st Position.
However, when played in 2nd Position, the Key of the Harp is not the same as the key of the music.
Helpful key selection charts are packed inside every Lee Oskar Harmonica.
Melody Makers™ are key-labeled in 2nd Position.
This makes it easy to know which key of Melody Maker™ to use.
To play music in the key of G, in 2nd Position, use a G Melody Maker™. It’s that simple! G for G. The chart below shows the notes that have been altered from a Major Diatonic, allowing you to play melodies easily in 2nd Position.
Melody Makers™ provide a complete Major Scale starting from the #2 Draw.
G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, G (Do, Re, Me, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do)
Example: Key of C
Labeled in the 1st Position Key (shown in orange as #4 Blow)
Example: Key of G
Labeled in the 2nd Position Key (shown in blue as #2 Draw)
The Major Diatonic is the standard Blues tuning and may be played in the 1st & 2nd Positions (Straight Harp & Cross Harp).
Choose this harmonica to play:
BLUES, FOLK, ROCK, COUNTRY, POP
The Natural Minor, with its five altered notes, is a natural choice for playing minor music in 2nd Position (Cross Harp).
Choose this harmonica to play:
MINOR BLUES, REGGAE, SKA, LATIN, FUNK, R&B, HIP HOP
The Harmonic Minor, with its five altered notes, is ideal for playing World Music. Typically played in 1st Position (Straight Harp).
Choose this harmonica to play:
EASTERN EUROPEAN, GYPSY, YIDDISH, ASIAN, TANGO, REGGAE