A new perspective on the nomenclature of musical notes duration in the current Lusophone and Spanish-speaking context

Abstract

Observing signs of outdated terminology in the traditional naming of musical notes duration in Portuguese and Spanish, we critically analyze their designations, which have deep roots in ancient practices. Our aim is to propose a more logical system of terminology, inspired by approaches used in countries such as Germany and the United States. In music education, the proportional relationship between note values is taught beginning with the longest note, but current names do not make these internal relationships clear. This disconnect requires students to expend greater cognitive effort in deciphering the value of each symbol, complicating instruction and increasing the possibility of misunderstanding. Such issues have not been sufficiently addressed within the Iberian and Latin-American context.