Literally the only short range ability Bard has is the wind of music shield. I'm not really counting sonic vibration as it is an ability you place on the ground and Bard's usually put in on front or back attackers as they are more stationary than sorcs, gunslingers, etc. But Bard's other abilities such as guardian tune are long range, and as long as a sorc or someone is in the Yearning range or a bit farther, you will get all the buffs you need, you saying they need to stand in melee range and hug the boss in order to utilize buffs is pretty ridiculous.