Oar can quietly confuse (6)
I believe the answer is:
paddle
'oar' is the definition.
(I know that paddle is a type of oar)
'quietly confuse' is the wordplay.
'quietly' becomes 'p' (musical symbol).
'confuse' becomes 'addle' (addling is a kind of confusing).
'p'+'addle'='PADDLE'
'can' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for paddle that I've seen before include "Short oar with broad blade" , "Walk by the shore" , "Scull" , "If you were up the creek without one you'd be in trouble!" , "Blade for rowing" .)