Crossword Genius

Is the piano one soft? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

stool

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'piano one soft?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'is the' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sool' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stool that I've seen before include "Motion" , "Armless seat" , "Three-legged backless seat" , "Small seat" , "Simple seat" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app