Another Reason War should be in Rock n Roll Hall of Fame- Low Rider

The harmonica is a handy instrument to learn. It’s pocket-sized. People sell harmonicas as children’s toys. However the harmonica is also a serious instrument. It’s important in blues.

There are serious harmonica players like Indira Sfair, Philip Jers and The Harmonicats. A legend among harmonica players is Lee Oskar.

Lee Oskar was born in Denmark in 1948. He was given a harmonica as a child and played it everywhere he went. American music finds its way around the world and Lee discovered blues and jazz. He left Denmark at 17 and went to New York City where this music came from. He made a living busking until he made a name for himself and got session work. This led to traveling around the country. He met Eric Burdon who was about to work with a new band called, WAR.

Oskar played harmonica with the horns in their funk jazz songs. Eric Burdon went his own way and WAR continued on as a band in their own right.

There were jazz harmonica players already. He could’ve left with Burdon. It wouldn’t be unheard of for Oskar, but he stayed with the band. Oskar added beauty and melody to “City Country City” and “H2O Overture.”

If you’re new to harmonica and you want to learn a song or part of a song, there are several fun songs to play. Luke from harmonica.com has short videos of some fun songs.

Lee Oskar has played intricate beautiful harmonica songs, but millions know one of the easier songs he wrote. You don’t have to be that good to learn “Low Rider.” (trust me) Most of the harmonica riff is  G and B notes with a quick C thrown in. On a C harmonica the song can be done on the 2 hole with a quick 3 and 4. If you can do single notes and follow the rhythm, you could do a passable “Low Rider.”

If you’ve been playing a while, you can add flourishes of bends and more bounce. That last last G is a bend and holds for a few beats.

I make it sound too easy and it’s not, but it’s not intimidating. Lee Oskar who is so proficient that he made a living busking and today has a line of custom harmonicas. The guy also made a riff that you can play and people recognize. “Low Rider” has been used in beer commercials, movies, television shows, car commercials, and over 50 years after its initial release still gets airplay. Oskar gave the world a fun easy to play, easy to recognize riff.

Harmonica beginners-find this song. You can find the learning tabs on line and be the hit of the party.

Thank you WAR for having Lee Oskar in the group. Lee Oskar that you for this song.