Julio Caro and his brother, Francisco, studied piano and violin separately; although their father later gave them the desire to change musical instruments (the third brother, Emilio, learned the violin). Against his father's wishes, Julio Caro got the position of the second violin at the Lorea Theater for a zarzuela performance in 1915. Despite his father's punishment and opposition, the brothers began attending tango recitals in Buenos Aires. These early influences include directors Eduardo Arolas, Juan Carlos Cobián, and Roberto Firpo.