The vast majority of bard performances in Final Fantasy XIV are done by soloists. This is no surprise, considering the difficulty of not only getting together a band to play ensembles, but also the difficulty of arranging ensemble music and actually playing your music in sync.
But that said, in some ways editing music for solo can be harder then ensemble, mostly because of the greater limitations put upon you. It’s especially difficult to arrange music as interesting as entertaining as what is possible with even two bards.
However, starting with simple solo pieces is the best starting place for complete beginners, and lets you get warmed up to the tools and techniques required if you wish to someday write for bigger ensembles as well. Given time and practice, dedicated soloists can learn to make songs that can keep their audiences engaged and entertained.
Chapter 1 - Understanding MIDI