Ferdinando Carulli was born on February 9 1770 in Naples, Italy. His father, Michele, was a distinguished literator, secretary to the delegate of the Neapolitan Jurisdiction. Like many of his contemporaries, he learned musical theory from a priest, who was also an amateur musician. Carulli's first instrument was the cello, but soon he discovered the guitar when he was 20 years old and devoted his life to the study and advancement of the instrument. In that time there were no professional guitar teachers in Naples so Carulli developed his own style of playing. He became very popular in Naples and soon he embarked on his European tour.

Around 1801 Carulli married a French woman,...