Bruce Fordyce was a self-taught piano accordionist. He was first and foremost a piper, having learned to play the highland bagpipes as a member of the St Andrew’s College pipe band. He was subsequently a member of the City of Christchurch Highland Pipe Band, and competed successfully in national solo piping competitions. After moving to Hawke’s Bay he provided tuition for the Napier Boys’ High School Pipe Band, and piped when Jack Seton needed a piper for Scottish country dancing events.  Many of Bruce’s tunes took shape on his bagpipe chanter, then were completed on his piano accordion.