Old blokes periodically forming part of an orchestra (4)
I believe the answer is:
oboe
'part of an orchestra' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'old blokes periodically' is the wordplay.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'periodically' indicates alternate letters (letters must be selected 'every so often').
The alternating letters of 'blokes' are 'boe'.
'o'+'boe'='OBOE'
'forming' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oboe that I've seen before include "Musical instrument" , "music producer" , "Double-reeded woodwind instrument" , "Cor anglais in its family" , "Walk with exaggerated movements" .)