Play the music from tape while miming on the instrument. Surely, acting falls within the scope of bardic abilities!
Or just do some form of oration (rousing speeches, telling jokes, rapping …). Bards don’t have to play an instrument, and using your voice for your bardic performance is way more practical than bringing some instrument on the road.
“Play an Instrument”
RAW v RAI
I can play any and every instrument, badly. Rules never said play well.
Play the music from tape while miming on the instrument. Surely, acting falls within the scope of bardic abilities!
Or just do some form of oration (rousing speeches, telling jokes, rapping …). Bards don’t have to play an instrument, and using your voice for your bardic performance is way more practical than bringing some instrument on the road.
I think bards who use an instrument should be able to cast spells with verbal components while gagged