Reading some of the bard threads has given me an idea for the mechanics of how bardic performance can be applied.
1) The perform skill should do something worthwhile, as has been noted in other threads.
2) Bards should have some ability similar to the ranger's track ability (which allows the rangers to apply half his level to survival checks when following or identifying tracks). The bard equivalent could be that he applies half his level to bardic performance checks.
3) Eliminate all the bardic performance songs from the bard class progression. Instead, list them in the bard's description as songs he can attempt to perform with a performance skill check. Each song would have a set DC value to successfully perform with more powerful songs having a higher DC value. Perhaps the songs can be split into two tiers, (lesser songs, and greater songs for instance).
4) At some point, the bard should gain the ability to take 10 on these checks to perform the some of the lesser songs automatically
These changes would allow the bard to attempt any performance, not just gain them at given levels with requisite perform ranks. They scale with level as well.
Thoughts?
2) ... You mean other then Every Knowledge?
To clarify a little, the ability could be named:
Inspiring Performer The bard gains a bonus equal to half his class level on performance skill checks when attempting a bardic performance.
Basically, a player may choose to play a bard without a lot of emphasis on his bardic performance ability, (by not investing any ranks into a performance skill) but not be shut out of this class feature completely. He would not gain the bonus when performing a normal performance skill check (assuming that the performance skill gets a boost).
I like the idea of a Perform bonus for bards. It underscores the fact that bards simply are virtuoso musicians/orators etc. by virtue of their very existence.