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You're probably right Jif, but I enjoyed this puzzle so much I'll offer any suggestion to get Skylark off the hook!

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I've got 2 of the opening note in column 1. one on top of the other (in 1d) - is this correct and does it matter which one we elect to use?

I think it does matter. Each note has its own row representing a line or space in standard musical notation. The upper B is on the B row. The other B is on the A row.

There are two of the same letter in 1 down, but it yes does matter which you use.The space between this note and the second need to reflect the spaces between notes as they're written on a sheet of music.

I have a full grid, both messages and the best selling work. However, I have absolutely no musical knowledge whatsoever and despite the hints here, I have no way of completing the final stage of this puzzle. Some of the previous posts refer to various musical terms, but they all mean nothing to me. Is there something, somewhere in plain English, without the use of musical terms which would help me?

Perhaps this will help? https://www.dcode.fr/music-sheet

Got it, thanks Smithsax, thanks Loge.

This week's puzzle put me in mind of that classic Christmas cracker joke:
Q. What do you get if you drop a piano down a pit shaft?
A. A flat miner.

Thanks Loge:I will check that out.

My final stumbling block is how to parse 9ac "using tip of iron for (s)take, pointed and waved."
I hope someone can help so that I can put this puzzle away and enjoy the weather.