The easy way to play piano (4)

I believe the answer is:

soft

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'the easy' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'way to play piano' is the wordplay.
'way' becomes 's' (Compass direction - South).
'to play piano' becomes 'oft' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
's'+'oft'='SOFT'

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(Other definitions for soft that I've seen before include "Seat" , "(Of drink) not alcoholic" , "Yielding, easily cut" , "piano?" , "Native of Riyadh" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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