Both of Paiva's parents served in the Portuguese court; accordingly, it is thought that he received an excellent education. He was associated with the monastery of S. Cruz in Coimbra for the majority of his musical career. There he was an instrumentalist, singer and organist who was skilled in the art of illumination. Paiva composed a number of tientos set with many different motives. He was the first to compose in this fashion. Other composers borrowed from his works usually scored in the fashion of keyboard players from the Iberian peninsula. Mudarra borrowed from Paiva's "Tento de 4 tom" and Palestrina borrowed from the theme of "Io son ferito." This same theme was later used by several organists for ricercares and fantasias. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide