Strains (5)
'strains' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for music that I've seen before include "Pleasant sound (to one's ears)" , "A score represents it" , "Pleasing sounds" , "Art of instrumental performance" , "'If ... be the food of love, play on'(Twelfth Night)" .)
'strains' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for exerts that I've seen before include "Forcefully applies (pressure)" , "Brings into use or to bear" , "Brings something to bear forcefully" , "Brings into use, say strength" , "Makes strenuous effort" .)