The stereotypical D&D image of a bard is some spoony minstrel

>>54414656
Not really.
You can get a +2 on checks in 3.pf by using a masterwork instrument, and PF requires a couple of barely useful bard things use an instrument. (Note that technically you can buy a masterwork rool of Perform: Sing or any other instrumentless perform tool if you really need that +2.)
Aside from that, you're far better off not having an instrument. You free up one or more hands, don't risk it being destroyed, and don't risk being disarmed.

>>54414656
Oddly enough, I think 5e does this, though it's more for the fact that a Bard has to use a physical Instrument as a focus for casting spells, and can't use their voice or dancing.

They start with proficiency in 3 different instruments for free, so you do have some variety and could probably justify some pretty easy stuff like a tambourine if you wanted to be a dancer or singer more primarily, but it does balance them out with other classes that will need to take up at least one hand with their casting implement instead of using a sword and shield while casting freely. Otherwise using their voice would be quite overpowered, though you could still manage it by only using spells with Verbal components.

Still, that does mean there is a tradeoff to using voice alone versus an instrument.

>>54414656
Should just be a bugler or drum major. Until the advent of radio, they played a crucial role to relay orders in battles.

>>54414656
Good music is a magic all its own brother.

>>54417171

Bards are almost always better off with a spell component pouch in 5e.

That kind of sucks.