Context: Though almost any variety of acoustic mandolin might be adequate for Irish traditional music, virtually all Irish players prefer flat-backed instruments with oval sound holes to the Italian-style bowl-back mandolins or the carved-top mandolins with f-holes favoured by bluegrass mandolinists. The former are often too soft-toned to hold their own in a session (as well as having a tendency to not stay in place on the player's lap), whilst the latter tend to sound harsh and overbearing to the traditional ear. The f-hole mandolin, however, does come into its own in a traditional session, where its brighter tone cuts through the sonic clutter of a pub. Greatly preferred for formal performance and recording are flat-topped "Irish-style" mandolins (reminiscent of the WWI-era Martin Army-Navy mandolin) and carved (arch) top mandolins with oval soundholes, such as the Gibson A-style of the 1920s.

Question: What types of instruments do irish player prefer?
Answer: might be adequate for Irish traditional music, virtually all Irish players prefer flat-backed instruments with oval sound holes

Question: Why is it said that the Italian style can't hold their own session? 
Answer: too soft-toned

Question: Which type mandolin had a tendency not to stay in the player's lap?
Answer: the carved-top mandolins with f-holes

Question: Which mandolin was preferred for formal performances and recordings? 
Answer: flat-topped "Irish-style" mandolins

Question: What was the Irish style mandolin reminiscent of?
Answer: WWI-era Martin Army-Navy mandolin

Question: What types of instruments do Italian player prefer?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question:  Why is it said that the Italian style can hold their own session?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question:  Which type mandolin didn't have a tendency not to stay in the player's lap?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: Which mandolin wasn't preferred for formal performances and recordings?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What was the Italian style mandolin reminiscent of?
Answer: Unanswerable