Leader of band helps string players (8)
I believe the answer is:
bassists
'string players' is the definition.
'bassists' can be an answer for 'players' (bass guitar players). I'm not certain of the 'string' bit.
'leader of band helps' is the wordplay.
'leader of' suggests taking the first letters.
'helps' becomes 'assists' (assisting is a kind of helping).
The first letter of 'band' is 'b'.
'b'+'assists'='BASSISTS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for bassists that I've seen is " musicians".)