pon returning to Rio de Janeiro, he began to be captivated by the type of music that was played in the streets and squares of the town. This was the choro, composed and played by chorões, groups of musicians who got together regularly for the pleasure of playing, and also to play at parties and during Carnival. This interest led him to study the guitar unbeknownst to his parents, who did not approve of their son’s association with composers of that type of music, who were considered delinquents.

In the beginning of the 20s, as a result of his involvement with the choro, he began to compose a cycle of fourteen works for many different types of ensembles called "Choros". Thus was born a new musical form, where urban music merged with modern composition techniques.