Instrument is deflecting pitch (5)

I believe the answer is:

sitar

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'instrument' is the definition.
(sitar is a type of musical instrument)

'deflecting pitch' is the wordplay.
'deflecting' becomes 'si' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pitch' becomes 'tar' (synonyms).
'si'+'tar'='SITAR'

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sitar that I've seen before include "Guitar-like instrument" , "Indian string instrument" , "instrument out east" , "Indian stringed instrument" , "Hindu stringed instrument" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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