Hello,
I'm new to the Wizardry series and I'm enjoying it very much so far. I made the bard part of my starting party because I heard they are great allies - but I haven't figured out how to use their musical skills yet!

I've tried reading on the forums and in the guides, but I haven't found anything that explains how to use their unique skills. I've tried the 'use item' during combat, and that doesn't make the Lute useable.

Any info is appreciated!!!
Thanks

Bard is indeed unique in W8. It's the only profession that can use musical instruments. You simply click on your bard, having him highlighted. Then, in the lowest par of screen, you click on the hand, which represents using an item. You will see 2 more options I think: equip item and use item. Choose "use item". Then select Lute from backpack of your bard. Yep, you need to have all musical instruments placed in your own backpack, if you want to use them.

Thanks a lot! It works great, thanks for your help. Glad i've been dumping points into music, it seems to be really effective!

Yes, it is. There's a second instrument available in the 'canyons' immediately outside the monastery, and more in Arnika (which should be your first stop after the monastery). You'll find far more instruments throughout the game than you can carry in one character's inventory, so you will eventually have to start picking and choosing which ones to keep ready. (Some of them are very heavy, so encumbrance might be a factor if your bard has a low Strength.)

The gadgeteer has a similar thing going with his devices, although in most cases he needs to find the individual parts to assemble before they can be used. The only device that comes 'preassembled' is found in the monastery.

And remember that not every instrument works in combat (for example that lute with "charm" spell). Such items might be kept in your party's backpack (instead of bard's backpack) and used when needed from inventory screen/dialog window (when talking with npcs). Have fun with a bard, it's an amazing class :)