[Harp-L] Lee Oskar Minor Tuned Harp

[Tom Halchak <thalchak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just received a Lee Oskar minor tuned harp in the mail yesterday.  It's a Dm.  I didn't know what to expect, but I couldn't wait to play it.  I am admittedly not very strong (yet) in my music theory.  What a unique and beautiful sound it makes!  Just running up and down the holes produces the equivalent of what would be a very complex riff on a major tuned diatonic.  I have only had it for about 12 hours and have only been able to play it for a half hour or so and have already found three songs that really fit on the minor tuning.

Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone
Summertime
When Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again

All these can be played in, what appears to me, as the first position and they sound great.  I can play these on a major tuned harp but just try Ain't no Sunshine When She's Gone on the 1-5 holes  on a major tuned harp - it is full transitions from half step bends to full step bends and has more twists and turns than a roller coaster.  It's a neat tune to play but sometimes if you don't hit the bends just right in the transitions it can sound pretty sloppy (for me at least).  On the minor tuned harp it just fits.  Sounds beautiful.

It seems to me that the minor tunings would be great for jazz.  Am I wrong? 
Can anybody offer some suggestions as to what type or even some songs that are better played on a minor tuning?

Thanks.

Tom Halchak
Clearwater, FL