Crossword Genius

Pinch notes (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

edge

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'pinch notes' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'pinch notes' is the wordplay.
'pinch' becomes 'ed' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'notes' becomes 'ge'.
'ed'+'ge'='EDGE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for edge that I've seen before include "Golden ingot" , "Bind" , "Brink or border" , "Inch; border" , "Final line" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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