First chair, or principal player, is second only to the conductor or maestro in an ensemble. It is the chair quite literally closest to the conductor in each section. Ascension to the position of first chair can be as mild as an audition, or it can be as competitively cutthroat as a scene straight out of Drumline.
The term "First Chair" has its origins in the musical world, particularly in orchestras where it refers to the lead violinist who sits at the front and takes the lead. In the legal world, First Chair similarly refers to the lead attorney, usually the one with the most experience and responsibility for the case.
Being first chair means you're not only the best at your instrument, but you're also the leader of your group. Being the leader means others might not agree with your decisions. You keep a healthy separation so you don't become biased toward any one individual you are leading.
Second chair co-counsel can stand in for the first chair by conducting jury voir dire, examining or cross examining witnesses in open court, or taking charge of the closing argument. Additionally, second chair can prepare for a more specific role focused on arguing motions and keeping track of more mundane matters.
The concertmaster (from the German Konzertmeister), first chair (U.S.) or leader (U.K.) is the principal first violin player in an orchestra (or clarinet in a concert band). After the conductor, the concertmaster is the second-most significant leader in an orchestra, symphonic band or other musical ensemble.
Whoever plays “best” is generally awarded first chair and so on down the line. In some you can “challenge” for chairs, which usually involves an impromptu audition between two competing players in front of the whole orchestra. The specifics can vary a lot depending on the teacher/conductor, so I leave it there.
The first chair Rybczynski was able to identify in the historical record was not a physical chair but a sculpture of one from the Cycladic islands in the Aegean Sea, dated to the period 2,800 - 2,700 B.C. The figurine depicts a musician playing a harp while sitting in what looks like a typical kitchen chair, with a ...
Second chair plays harmonies with the lead, and some charts will even have sections where the second takes over as the lead for a few bars. They get alot of solos and these players need to have good ears because they sometimes play just as high as the lead but are in a supporting role (unless soloing)
synonyms for first chair
On this page you'll find 7 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to first chair, such as: front position, front seat, inside position, lead, pole, and starting grid.
The first chair is basically the best player of the section. That means that the person in that chair has an opportunity to teach the rest of the section how to do certain things. For example, an orchestra: the first chair would be the example of the bowing and fingering.
Some orchestras have tests for first chairs once every two weeks or so. Others have a constant first chair throughout the semester or even the year. Still others allow challengers to compete against the current first chair--each musician plays the same piece, and your teacher or director picks the best performance.
All you need are some tools and guidance to be first chair in band to help you along your way:
Can you play the 'test' material perfectly?
Ask the teacher about the next opportunity to move-up in chair.
Leave a Reply