recycled post: I had a controversial and strange idea today:
Perform types could be made into feats. Give the bard a bunch of perform feats for free, and other people can take them. Then make them worth it.
"Orator", for example, could boost Linguistics and Diplomacy. "Dancer" could boost Acrobatics and Fly. "Comedian" could boost bluff and intimidate(?), "Actor" could boost Bluff and Disguise.
The Instruments would have to have some other benefit, such as providing a bonus to any Cha-based skill while you are playing the instrument.
In all cases, having the feat meets the requisites for bardic performance of a given level (bardic performance itself would need some reworking). However, the Bard himself would receive 3 or 4 more skills (freed up from performs), and the unique properties of each performance ability would impart a bit of character to the performer.
Make Bardic Performance a charisma check and eliminate the required ranks in favor of making them automatic class abilities at a given level. That whole mechanic was always onerous, because all Bards would max out the needed perform skills, so the requirement served very little purpose.
Under this system, the bard class would be much easier on the eyes. You get a special pool of feats like the Ranger and Rogue. Those feats help flesh out your skills and add distinction to your bard; an orator has different skills than a comedian. You can use any perform feat you have as the method of Bardic Performance, and the feat description can name the the types of performance that can be used (already specified).
I think it has merit, if someone wants to run with it. It certainly turns a mandatory skill of the bard into an interesting character choice, and lets other characters pick up an instrument or performance talent with a greater benefit than a few cp from busking now and then.
Of course, you can still use the feat to make a Charisma check to make some money on the side. What do you think, friends?