A principal player, sometimes called the "first chair," is typically the most skilled player in each instrumental section. This player is charged with playing any solos written in the music, and if the conductor sees it fit to reduce the amount of players playing a part, the principal player will typically be the "last one standing."

A principal player is not necessarily a section leader; for example, Takuya Gotoh plays principal tuba, but Asuka Tanaka is the section leader of the bass section.