achával enjoyed singing from an early age, and sang in a church choir during his childhood. however, encouraged by his father, he took up the violin at age five, under the guidance of his uncle, aliveo crudeli. though short in stature, he played his instrument in churches and at weddings accompanying schubert's serenade or the wedding march. in ingeniero white, he joined the aníbal troncoso bahia blanca orchestra, directed by luis bonnat, who taught him to play accordion. these skills were later refined by antonio ríos.