Bards do not strictly have to use instruments, though they are traditionally associated with them. In D&D 5th edition, the most common ruleset for fantasy roleplay, a bard's spellcasting and magical abilities function regardless of whether they carry or play an instrument. However, many bard subclasses and features benefit from instrument use through the Bardic Inspiration ability, which typically requires a performance check—something that can involve singing, playing music, dancing, or storytelling. The bard class is intentionally flexible, allowing players to define what "performance" means for their character.
In practice, bards are skilled performers and artisans who gain magical power through their creative expression. Some bards might be primarily singers, poets, or dancers rather than musicians. Others might be orators, comedians, or acrobats. The core mechanic is performance ability and charisma, not instrument proficiency itself. A bard character can certainly exist without ever touching a lute or flute, substituting other forms of artistic expression instead.
Different fantasy settings and game systems may have varying rules—some impose stricter requirements around instruments, while others lean even more heavily into interpretive performance. The underlying principle, however, remains consistent: bards channel magic through creativity and presentation, which instruments simply facilitate rather than require. Players should check their specific game's rulebook, but the spirit of the class emphasizes flexibility in how characters express their bardic magic.