The Bardic Knowledge mechanic for Perform too.

[Selk]

Bardic Knowlege gives you one Knowledge skill that keeps pace with your level, for free. This should also apply to one type of Perform Skill. This frees up a skill point per level (as almost all bards will max one Perform).

[Purple Dragon Knight]

Wonderful Idea.

I abhor the fact that bards in 3.5 and PRPG need to spend additional perform skill points for different instruments.

Giving one free knowledge point per level and one free perform point per level would help (effectively granting them 8 skill points per level, which they should have in the first place anyhow... they are way weaker than rogues, who have evasion and sneak attack AND 8 skill points per level...)

[Treantmonklvl20]

Being that perform is a "must have" skill for Bards - I would agree. Nobody is going to play a bard without perform - in fact, a bard without perform isn't a bard at all.

Making a Bard select perform as an optional skill would be like having a wizard pick up the ability to cast spells as an optional skill, or a fighter pick up a full BAB as an option.

Perform is the essence and flavor of a Bard - it should really be gained automatically IMO.

I wouldn't be too worried about balance either. Bard's have a little wiggle room in that area I think.