Make a strenuous effort taking piano from specialist (5)
I believe the answer is:
exert
'make a strenuous effort' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'piano from specialist' is the wordplay.
'piano' becomes 'p'.
'from' suggests deleting specific letters.
'specialist' becomes 'expert' (I've seen this before).
'expert' with 'p' taken away is 'EXERT'.
'taking' is the link.
(Other definitions for exert that I've seen before include "Bring to bear, perhaps influence" , "Cause (oneself) to make a strenuous effort" , "Bring (force) to bear" , "Bring into play, wield" , "Work strenuously" .)