Bards don't need instruments for anything but playing that instrument. Any subclass of bard can use any bard ability without an instrument. Spell casting uses a spell component pouch as an alternative.
Bards can use an instrument as a spell casting focus. Not "must". ;)
Every Bard is proficient in at least one instrument, unless you choose to homebrew that out, but why would you. So while my Bards are normally Lute players so they might sing and play at the same time, there is no reason you have to choose a Lute, and I choose a Flute as my spellcasting focus. It is handier. So just because your Bard might be proficient in playing the flute, and (s)he chooses to carry a flute as his spell casting focus, there is no indication (s)he has to play the flute when casting a spell. I imagine it as the Bard waving it more like a conductor's baton when he casts a spell.
So I think your bard could absolutely rely on their voice in combat and hold a small musical instrument, preferably one they are proficient with, and cast spells however they wish.
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Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Don't want to have to carry around a musical instrument to use as a focus? No problem, the 1990s has got you covered.
But in all seriousness, I do feel it's a bit silly that Bards simply hold an instrument and they can cast spells without requiring a components pouch. RAW they don't even have to play it, just hold it. Once upon a time a bard could chant, whistle, sing, and more in order to bolster but, at the same note, there was also a time where they couldn't do it while in combat, only prior to, and only if they knew what they were going up against so I'm not too bothered by the 5e rules.
That said, I don't think it's really such a big deal to use a component pouch, personally. My Bard does both because you never know when something's gonna happen to the instrument.
Bards don't need instruments for anything but playing that instrument. Any subclass of bard can use any bard ability without an instrument. Spell casting uses a spell component pouch as an alternative.
Bards can use an instrument as a spell casting focus. Not "must". ;)
Every Bard is proficient in at least one instrument, unless you choose to homebrew that out, but why would you. So while my Bards are normally Lute players so they might sing and play at the same time, there is no reason you have to choose a Lute, and I choose a Flute as my spellcasting focus. It is handier. So just because your Bard might be proficient in playing the flute, and (s)he chooses to carry a flute as his spell casting focus, there is no indication (s)he has to play the flute when casting a spell. I imagine it as the Bard waving it more like a conductor's baton when he casts a spell.
So I think your bard could absolutely rely on their voice in combat and hold a small musical instrument, preferably one they are proficient with, and cast spells however they wish.
Cum catapultae proscriptae erunt tum soli proscript catapultas habebunt
Don't want to have to carry around a musical instrument to use as a focus? No problem, the 1990s has got you covered.
But in all seriousness, I do feel it's a bit silly that Bards simply hold an instrument and they can cast spells without requiring a components pouch. RAW they don't even have to play it, just hold it. Once upon a time a bard could chant, whistle, sing, and more in order to bolster but, at the same note, there was also a time where they couldn't do it while in combat, only prior to, and only if they knew what they were going up against so I'm not too bothered by the 5e rules.
That said, I don't think it's really such a big deal to use a component pouch, personally. My Bard does both because you never know when something's gonna happen to the instrument.