Scotley
Hero
4e is definitely different. With the perform, craft and profession skills gone a lot of character customization and flavor goes out the window. I believe I would allow the bard to describe the performance he want to give and if there is no desired mechanical effect just let it be the way he wants. If there is a desired effect then I'd give a circumstances bonus to whatever he's trying to accomplish based on how appropriate his description is to the situation at hand.