Cheerful small gestures from the conductor (7)

I believe the answer is:

upbeats

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'gestures from the conductor' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'cheerful small' is the wordplay.
'cheerful' becomes 'upbeat' (synonyms).
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'upbeat'+'s'='UPBEATS'

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I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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