For the band, the number in the middle was hard at first but moving overall (4-1-4)
I believe the answer is:
rock-n-roll
'first but moving overall' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'for the band the number in the middle was hard' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'band' could be 'rock' (rock band is a kind of band) and 'rock' is found within the answer.
'number' could be 'l' (L is an example) and 'l' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'at' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rock-n-roll that I've seen before include "Style of rhythmic music from the 1950s and Elvis (4'1'4)" , "19's music" .)