bard instruments

[de-trick]

I've been playing around with making a bard for a campaign but not sure what instrument to play. Forget bards and usefulness and how there not good. Also my DM and fellow players love to have fun so goofy Ideas work.

• cow bell(a joke are group has about guitar hero...cow bell hero)
• bagpipes (not a Scottish dwarf thing thinking a elf or gnome for this one)
• drum(arompapa-pun)
• singing tecno music

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Elvish bagpipers are the way to go.

[SilentNight]

Currently I'm playing a hidden weapons fighter who plays a stand-up bass. It's a little bulky but I love basses. Our group agreed that it would weigh around 10lbs. if it was made of darkwood but that's entirely subjective.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

• One man band
• Magical Electric Guitar
• Axe(the beat is formed by the blows against his enemies hides)
• Ukelele
• Kazoo
• Harmonica
• Rainstick
• Organ(reduced and can be expanded at will by you in order to play)
• No music, just interpretive dance

[Tsitra]

I've been playing around with making a bard for a campaign but not sure what instrument to play. Forget bards and usefulness and how there not good. Also my DM and fellow players love to have fun so goofy Ideas work.

• cow bell(a joke are group has about guitar hero...cow bell hero)
• bagpipes (not a Scottish dwarf thing thinking a elf or gnome for this one)
• drum(arompapa-pun)
• singing tecno music

Just using phb spells, it's entirely possible to setup a rave.
Just saying...

I'd go with either drum or singing.

[Talya]

This thread needs more cowbell.

[SilentNight]

That just cured my fever.

[13_CBS]

This thread needs more cowbell.

There ya go.

[Thomix]

• Air Guitar

[TheBlackDog]

Kazoo

No hands needed.
You can be holding it in your mouth and kazooing as you wield a greatsword!

[horseboy]

Perform (Mime). Bard: "Guy's I'm going to do walking in the wind until we win." Group: "Quick kill it!"

[Sstoopidtallkid]

• Therimin
• Didgeridoo
• Glass harmonica
• Rockerboy

Also, depending on the nature of the BBEG(i.e. is it Asmodeous?), golden fiddle.

[loves_to_laugh]

One word: banjolele

As the name suggests it is a cross between a banjo and a ukulele.
It's in the song and silence book.
Here's some other instruments with convenient pictures.
(I own the book and a scanner)




Another good item is the gong. That would be cool and funny.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

(not all my ideas)

• Triangle
• Tap-dancing
• Midi Files
• Finger cymbals
• Bone xylophone
• second for gong

[de-trick]

man I couldn't stop myself from laughing, when I play this bard I'm totally taking versatile performer

[RTGoodman]

A couple of ideas:

• Use the helmets of your defeated enemies as drums (a la the end of Return of the Jedi).
• One-man band (that thing that has all the different instruments all strapped to you).
• Rainstick
• Crystal glasses (filled with various amounts of water, running your finger around the rims).
• (Serious) A dwarven bard using (Oratory) to rattle of long lists of old Dwarven heroes. I've always liked that idea.

[Chronicled]

I'm not sure where the original image is from (though I'd love to know), but I think it has one of the more badass bard weapon ideas.

Spoiler

Show

It's enough to make me play a bard who doesn't use oratory for the mechanical benefits, just to have an instrument that bleeds.

[Admiral Squish]

I'm not sure where the original image is from (though I'd love to know), but I think it has one of the more badass bard weapon ideas.

Spoiler

Show

It's enough to make me play a bard who doesn't use oratory for the mechanical benefits, just to have an instrument that bleeds.

I think she's using the bow as a blade. The string cuts the flesh like a fine edge. MUAHAHAHAHAHA. Now that's music... TO DIE FOR! Indeed, a KILLER performance.

[Chronicled]

I think she's using the bow as a blade. The string cuts the flesh like a fine edge. MUAHAHAHAHAHA. Now that's music... TO DIE FOR! Indeed, a KILLER performance.

That was my initial thought, but then wouldn't she also cut her violin's strings?

Either way, it'd make a sweet bard.

[TheOOB]

Who needs instruments?

Use perform(a capella).

Or use perform(dance) and use mass suggestion to get back-up dancers.

[Admiral Squish]

That was my initial thought, but then wouldn't she also cut her violin's strings?

Either way, it'd make a sweet bard.

...adamantine strings?

[Chronicled]

...adamantine strings?

Brilliant!

That cinches it. My next character is going to be a bard that has an adamantine stringed violin and a bow-blade. Although, I still like the idea of a cursed violin bow that drips blood. Ah, decisions, decisions...

[malagigi]

Uilleann bagpipes. Instead of blowing to fill the bag with air, you pump a bellows with your right arm, and squeeze the bag with your left.
You might ask your self why uilleann over Highland Bagpipes or the like. The answer is simple: if you're not blowing into a blowstick your mouth is free for singing and, more importantly, drinking.

The glass harmonica would be awesome for no other reason than the hilarity around trying to move the instrument. People's reaction to the crazy sound would be fun too. Alternately, one could use Franklin's armonica.

[Fishy]

Perform (Gong) just wins everything forever.

There's also Perform (Accordion), Perform (Haiku), Perform (Tapdance), Perform (Maracas), Perform (Stand Up Comedy), Perform (Smashing-Watermelons-With-A-Sledgehammer-Like-Gallagher) and Perform (Braigetori)

[CaptainSam]

How about Perform: Dance (Schuplattler)

Multiclass into Monk and the enemy will never know where the next attack is coming from!

[JellyPooga]

Perform: Power Ballad

You don't need instruments, 'cos all you have to do is start singing and the environment instantly becomes dramatic (wind, rain and lightning effects abound!) and music comes out of nowhere, just like in a music video .

[Willfor]

...adamantine strings?

I imagine strings of Adamantine would have a sharp, sweet tone. Though your violin will sound very different due to all of the modifications to the bow that would have to be made. To get a good grip (and resonance) on the strings between the bow and strings if they are both metallic, you will need some kind of sticky liquid to lubricate the strings.

... Though blood would do the trick nicely. Your bard would need to bleed something before playing though unless you want your party deafened by squeals, instead of warmer sound.

Only in a fantasy world do instruments sound better just after having been used as a weapon.

[Eorran]

A couple more suggestions:
Tuba or sousaphone (the wrap-around tuba, goes great with lederhosen)
Cello (cause the sound is so cool)
Baritone saxophone
Bassoon (it's a bass oboe)
or for hands-free,
Perform (yodel)

[Prophaniti]

I'd already decided the next bard I run is going to play a one-man-band. It's gonna be awesome! Also Yodeling sounds fun... maybe both? heh, that's just evil. That's it! An evil bard who yodels while playing a one man band and specializes in destructive sonic spells! Brilliant!

[Brawls]

I'm inclined to go with one of the following:

Castanets
Triangle

or bowed saw (my personal fave)

Brawls