Single bar, played on lute initially, sounds familiar (5,1,4)
I believe the answer is:
rings a bell
'sounds familiar' is the definition.
'single bar played on lute initially' is the wordplay.
'played' is an anagram indicator.
'on' is an insertion indicator (as in clothing \'on\' a person).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letter of 'lute' is 'l'.
'single'+'bar'='singlebar'
'singlebar' anagrammed gives 'ringsabel'.
'ringsabel' going around 'l' is 'RINGS A BELL'.
(Other definitions for rings a bell that I've seen before include "What the town crier does" , "Reminds one" , "stirs up memories" .)