 His band, " O Choro do Callado", used an ebony flute, two viols and a cavaquinho, and was noted for facility at improvisation.Da Silva wrote and co-authored many choros, as a new way of interpreting modinhas, lundus, waltzes and polkas.His work was an inspiration to his friend and pupil, Viriato Figueira, and his friend and band member, the female composer Chiquinha Gonzaga.