Crossword Genius

Top soprano initially improvises (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

noodles

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'initially improvises' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'top soprano' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'soprano' could be 's' (musical abbreviation) and 's' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'noodle' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for noodles that I've seen before include "Simpletons (colloq.)" , "Oriental pasta" , "Far Eastern food" , "Fools; pasta" , "Pasta ribbons" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app