Crossword Genius

Short note about letter for communicating (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alfa

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'communicating' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'short note about letter' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'note' could be 'fa' (musical note) and 'fa' is located in the answer.
'about' could be 'a' (abbreviation in Chambers) and 'a' is present in the answer.
'letter' could be 'l' and 'l' is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for alfa that I've seen before include "strong grass" , "I stand for a" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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