Try to be like a piano key (3)
I believe the answer is:
ape
'try to be' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'a piano key' is the wordplay.
'piano' becomes 'p' (musical abbreviation).
'key' becomes 'e' (a musical key).
'a'+'p'+'e'='APE'
'like' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ape that I've seen before include "Copy - primate" , "Imitate like primate" , "Imitate, clumsy person (colloq.)" , "Parrot" , "Imitate uncritically" .)