Odd notes penetrating mortal head of hounds (8)
I believe the answer is:
huntsman
'head of hounds' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'odd notes penetrating mortal' is the wordplay.
'odd' indicates alternate letters.
'penetrating' is an insertion indicator.
'mortal' becomes 'human' (synonyms).
The alternating letters of 'notes' are 'nts'.
'nts' inserted into 'human' is 'HUNTSMAN'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for huntsman that I've seen before include "Who cares for hounds" , "One riding to hounds" , "One chasing quarry" , "One pursuing animals for sport" .)