Crossword Genius

On which one conducts, or turns up to play ineptly? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rostrum

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'on which one conducts' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'or turns up to play ineptly?' is the wordplay.
'turns up' says the letters should be written backwards.
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'play ineptly?' becomes 'strum' (I've seen this before. I am not sure about the 'ineptly?' bit.).
'or' backwards is 'ro'.
'ro'+'strum'='ROSTRUM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rostrum that I've seen before include "Podium" , "Rum rots (anag)" , "Platform for speaker" , "place for speaker" , "Platform for public speaking" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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