Ask softly, then take charge (5)
I believe the answer is:
plead
'ask' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'softly then take charge' is the wordplay.
'softly' becomes 'p' (short for piano, musical term for softly).
'then' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'take charge' becomes 'lead' (I've seen this in another clue).
'p'+'lead'='PLEAD'
(Other definitions for plead that I've seen before include "Say one is guilty or not guilty" , "Beg or petition" , "Present an argument in court" , "Beg, implore" , "Argue (a position in court)" .)