Earnestly request a soft sound of bells (6)
I believe the answer is:
appeal
'earnestly request' is the definition.
'appeal' can be an answer for 'request' (appealing is a kind of requesting). I am not sure about the 'earnestly' bit.
'a soft sound of bells' is the wordplay.
'soft' becomes 'p' (musical abbreviation for 'piano').
'sound of bells' becomes 'peal' (I've seen this before).
'a'+'p'+'peal'='APPEAL'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for appeal that I've seen before include "Attraction - referral to higher authority" , "Refer sentence to higher court for review" , "Request hearing of higher court" , "Take case to higher court to challenge verdict" , "Entreat, plead" .)