Briano's Blessed Bodhrán

When used by a bard, bardsong grants each party member a total of +1 To Hit & +3 Damage (+2 To Hit & +4 Damage if the bard is 5th-level) to their melee and ranged attacks. The bard may cast Spells (not scrolls) while playing this instrument but may not attack with a weapon. Bards cannot make a Lore check while playing this instrument.

When played by the skilled hands of a bard, this magical instrument generates a magical voice that sings on the bard’s behalf, freeing the bard’s own voice to cast spells. Thus, it allows bardsong to be performed while simultaneously casting a Spell from the bard’s character card (but not cast scrolls.) It does not allow a bard to cast a Spell as a Free Action, it allows the casting and bardsong to occur at the same time. It’s a subtle distinction, but an important one because it means the bard can inspire (bardsong), cast a Spell, and perform a Free Action in the same round. If this instrument converted the casting from a Standard Action to a Free Action, the bard would not be able to perform another Free Action in the same round.