Piece that's played not as a variation (6)
I believe the answer is:
sonata
'piece' is the definition.
(I know that sonata is a type of piece)
'not as a variation' is the wordplay.
'variation' indicates an anagram.
'not'+'as'+'a'='notasa'
'notasa' anagrammed gives 'SONATA'.
'that's played' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sonata that I've seen before include "piece for instrumental soloist" , "Musical composition for a solo instrument" , "musical performance" , "Musical composition for one or two instruments" , "Work for soloist" .)