This guide assumes you haven't defeated a single boss or invasion yet.ДЄfter defeating the Eye of Cthulhu, you have access to a few items. The list is broken into sections of the game, where prominent or important sets of items become available to a bard.ДЄt the start of the game, you have access to a variety of items from safer biomes like the Surface and Cavern. Many items lie behind boss and enemy kills, town NPCs, events, and crafting requirements, so your ability to get certain items is made easier or harder by RNG. The following is a very simple progression guide for new bards. Good job you little musician! Progression

If you or your team is stuck in long winded battles and boss fights, use string and wind instruments to improve your survivability and resource management. If you're safely damaging enemies, use a brass instrument to increase you or your teams damage potential. If you or your team is on the move, player percussion instruments to improve your mobility. As a bard you'll want to carry multiple instruments at once to allow a broader array of empowerment options. Much of the power behind a bard comes from these boosts, allowing for better damage, defense, movement, and resource spending. Empowerments are powerful buffs that get applied to the bard and his nearby allies when an instrument is used. The primary mechanic that draws attention away from damaging enemies and bosses are the bards Empowerments. As a bard, your gameplay isn't remarkably different from classes like the ranger or mage.

Terraria class guide