Reportedly, emblem used by a drummer (6)
I believe the answer is:
cymbal
'a drummer' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.
'reportedly emblem' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'emblem' becomes 'symbol' (I've seen this before).
'symbol' sounds like 'CYMBAL'.
'used by' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cymbal that I've seen before include "One of a pair of brass plates clashed together" , "Percussionist's disc" , "One of clashing pair" , "One of a pair of brass musical instruments" , "Crashing instrument" .)