Crossword Genius

Instrument in small room close to piano (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cello

'instrument' is the definition.
(cello is a kind of instrument)

'small room close to piano' is the wordplay.
'small room' becomes 'cell' (I've seen this before).
'close to' indicates one should take the final letters (the close/ending of).
The final letter of 'piano' is 'o'.
'cell'+'o'='CELLO'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for cello that I've seen before include "has strings attached" , "Jacqueline du Pre's instrument" , "music produced by this?" , "String quartet instrument" , "Tortelier's instrument" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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