What is the right clarinet for Greek music?

[tseligas]

Dear all,

I decided to start a thread after many people asking the same question.

- So what is the right clarinet for Greek music?

Let's start with some general notes:
For the old greek music recordings that we find in the oldest records the low G albert was the weapon of choice. C Albert was a second choice.

Today most of the greek clarinetists play either with Bb or A which is gaining more and more popularity.

Other basic facts is the mono do or diplo do which is an automatic C mechanism.

On the clarinets we observe many different key setups. Older clarinets had fewer keys...so most players prefer those simply because they are used to them in the first place.

Now more or less keys:
More keys, advantages:
a) More alternate fingerings...ie faster fingering
b) More accurate notes ...ie accurate sound.

Disadvantages
a) If there is a keyring on a hole it is tougher to slide your finger which makes a sound used a lot in greek music.
b) More things to learn if you are lazy
but let's not dig too deep into the keys.