You do get more bang for your buck with this combination, but for me, it'd
just be way too much work. Besides, at a younger level you're still plenty
good with a sword to be considered a melee class. Do you find you takedown
mobs faster with your Kung Fu Instrument/Weapon attack than if you just
twisted Warsong/Hymn/Chords?

Windleaf

****

By far my most effective combonation against any just about any mob I've
come accross is CoD/Bellow/Hymn with a lute. There are only two reason to
switch to weapon+sheild: If I'm too close to another mob to sing CoD or if
I'm needed to increase a particular weapon skill. Otherwise I wouldn't be
putting the lute away until it's time to run somewhere.

Peace
Evulia of Tunare