So Bard is usually played as a support, but is a very versatile champ as-well. When he came out he was played in every lane, jungle, mid, adc, etc... But if played right, can be very strong in his new home; the top lane.

For top lane Bard there are three main spell pairs, and two sub pairs.
1. Teleport and Ignite(this is for map and lane pressure against your opponent considering how mobile of a champion Bard is with his chimes, and his later items
2. Flash and Teleport(This is for more of a map pressure, play making Bard)
3. Flash and Ignite(This is for lane dominance over your lane opponent and all-ins)
These are the more unused, but still viable:
4.Ghost and Teleport(This is for a more gank heavy, roaming bard)
5.Ghost and Ignite(For total all-in on your lane opponent, or any other lane)

PROS:
-Good Duelist,
-Great sustain in lane due to his W, and his chimes which give mana each time one is collected.
-Cheese pick, hard to know how to play against it
-Really good map pressure
-Mobile
-Suprising damage
CONS:
-Squishy early
-Easily caught out
-Falls off late game
-High mana costs early

Bards team-fighting is pretty good considering all of his CC. He has great engage and disengage due to his ult and his E, if he can land a good Q after an enemy travels through his magical journey, he can set up easy kills for his team. Also, his Q because of his stun, is great for small skirmishes and picking people off to set-up for easy team-fights and securing objectives.

Farming isn't that difficult with the runes and masteries, but can still be a challenge. To quick push lanes, use your Q to last hit multiple minions at a time, also use your meeps to get that second auto off on higher healthed minions. Later, after your Runaans, and/or statikk shiv, clearing minions won't be a problem.