Spell(s) used to create a one-person symphonic performance?

[snacksmoto]

I had an idea for a Bard/Entertainer who, on occasion, would perform using magic in addition to the usual single instrument and single voice.

Prestidigitation allows instantaneous, faint musical notes but can layer up to three effects. Minor Illusion seems as if it would allow a second instrument but only for a minute while the Material component would likely necessitate the use of a Bardic musical instrument focus. The problem is that neither of these, even in conjunction, would allow for nothing more significant than a short duet. I'm looking to create a larger composition, on the scale of a trio or quartet with accompanying background vocals (without lyrics) to the Bard's own voice that could last from 3-10 minutes depending on the composition.

Is something of the sort able to be accomplished within the published spell lists without having to go into homebrew, special occasion spell adjustments?

[SharkForce]

major image can create sound, with no restrictions to creating only a single sound. you might need to create an image of several ghostly instruments that play themselves, or a spectral choir, or a real (small) orchestra/band since it technically creates sounds appropriate to the illusion, but it should satisfy your need, so long as you don't want to have your music make people's ears bleed or something.

[Ninja_Prawn]

major image can create sound, with no restrictions to creating only a single sound. you might need to create an image of several ghostly instruments that play themselves, or a spectral choir, or a real (small) orchestra/band since it technically creates sounds appropriate to the illusion, but it should satisfy your need, so long as you don't want to have your music make people's ears bleed or something.

Agreed. Major Image is the way to go. I don't think you can achieve this with any spell lower than 3rd level.

[SharkForce]

Agreed. Major Image is the way to go. I don't think you can achieve this with any spell lower than 3rd level.

well, you could probably do it for a single target with phantasmal force.

and you could probably pull something off a capella using objects enchanted with magic mouth. to get a 10 minute performance, you'd need a heck of a lot of money though (arguably, you could just chain them onto a single object, with the first having a command word trigger and all the rest having a trigger that the previous one ends, otherwise you'll also need to haul around a wheelbarrow full of very expensive pebbles).

but yes, major image is by far the most practical solution for on-the-spot performances that can be enjoyed by more than one person.

[AeonsShadow]

Bard casts MAJOR IMAGE, grabs a conductors baton, and Mozarts his way through bardic music.

[solidork]

Why can minor illusion only do one instrument and not the whole symphony?

[snacksmoto]

Why can minor illusion only do one instrument and not the whole symphony?

The wording in the spell description "You create a sound..." is singular which can be translated to a single instrument. Because of that, it is unrealistic to bend the effects of the spell to have it capable of creating the sound of several instruments. The other limitation of one instance of Minor Illusion ending if Minor Illusion is cast again precludes the progressive layering of instruments.

The most that a low level Bard could accomplish simultaneously would be his/her own voice, a non-wind instrument, Minor Illusion instrument/vocal and some musical Prestidigitation accents for a short score. Rather decent, but still limited in variety and scope.