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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kobold Stew" data-source="post: 6750612" data-attributes="member: 23484">None of those are actually mentioned in the PHB, of course, and so would require DM permission. Plus, it's unlikely that the player has previously chosen these. Fortunately, that doesn't matter. The rules for Bardic instruments are particularly disappointing for me, but they are straightforward:* a bard may use a musical instrument as a spell casting focus.* "use" does not mean playing (which can require two hands); waving it around is apparently sufficient: "stand back, I have a fiddle".* "use" does not require proficiency: proficiency only matters for spell checks when playing.* a bard may use a component pouch to equal effect.* proficiency bonus has nothing to do with the item you are using as a focus (if you are not just providing separate components). All this to say: a bard stripped of all equipment can still cast spells requiring only V/S, and can a component pouch or wave around any instrument (proficient or not) to replace individual M components. The final issue, of hand-making a flute or whatever to achieve this? Obviously, that's a DM's call. To me, that sounds awesome and I'd want to support such creativity, especially in the face of the overall weakness of bardic instruments.</blockquote>