Anyone played Dynasty Warriors 7 / Sengoku Musou 6? Cai Wenji has a Harp for her weapon and the design and concept for it is pretty funny - you can use it as a ranged weapon and you attack your enemies with "notes" and vibration/shockwaves from the weapon. She also uses her Harp to play tunes that can heal her and debuff her enemies.

I doubt that's how you'll be doing it here, but that concept makes me somewhat hopeful for the way Bard will be played.