A small letter A? (4)
I believe the answer is:
note
'a small letter' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for note that I've seen before include "A flat, for example" , "Do, re or mi?" , "Quaver, say" , "Observe the musical pitch." , "A, B or C, for example - short message" .)