This is a really basic question but as my experience grows I would rather ask and know for certain than make assumptions and be incorrect.
My first question is the very function of maintaining a bardic performance. I get that it costs 1 bardic performance and a standard action to start the effect. Then it is a free action to maintain that effect each round. The question I have and have heard different answers for is as follows. Does each round maintaining the performance cost one use of bardic performance? I assumed it would as you get additional uses as you level and this is basically a spell but have heard others say no maintaining a song just continues the original effect.
Question two involves the same topic but a feat called Harmonic spell. This feat allows you to cast a spell and doing so says you do not need to use a round of bardic performance. So in essence if you cast a cantrip it sounds as if you could perform indefinitely.
Thanks in advance,
The cost needs to be paid every round and Harmonic Spell was updated to need a level 1 or higher spell.
If you want more performance rounds a day I would look at the Lingering Performance feat. Often its pretty easy to get away with only spending a single round of bardic performance for a fight as it ends within the first 3 rounds.
Thanks for the clarification Lintecarka, much appreciated.
There is also the Extra Performance feat. It gets you six more rounds of performance. If that's not enough, you can take the feat multiple times.
I want to point out that the Half Elf's Favored Class Option Adds +1 to the to the total performances per day.
It's not much, but when you add them all up, you find it's good to be a Half-Elf :)