His first concert as a pianist took place in 1898. The following year he prepared the first edition of the tango "Turuna". In 1905, he had his first work, "Brejeiro", recorded by singer Mario Pinheiro with the title "O sertanejo enamorado" with lyrics by . Meanwhile, the "Casa Édison" marching band recorded his tango "Brushed", which became quite successful. In 1907 Ernesto Nazareth was appointed third book-keeper of the National Treasury, a position that he did not occupy for not mastering the English language. In 1908, he began working as a pianist at the Mozart Club.