Artist is second to quietly speak hoarsely (4)
I believe the answer is:
rasp
'speak hoarsely' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'artist is second to quietly' is the wordplay.
'artist' becomes 'RA' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'is second' becomes 's' (2nd letter of 'is').
'to quietly' becomes 'p' (musical symbol).
'ra'+'s'+'p'='RASP'
(Other definitions for rasp that I've seen before include "Abrade" , "sort of berry?" , "Smoother" , "Harsh grating sound" , "Grating noise; file" .)