Depression is necessary for effective use of the keys it holds (5)
I believe the answer is:
piano
'it holds' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for piano that I've seen before include "Musical instrument - softly, please" , "Opposite of forte" , "Clavier" , "one of 6 [STEINWAYS]" , "key holder" .)