So.... I want to make music with... Software. Any help?

[Rev. Rye]

Personally, if you're interested, there are loads of apps on the iPad (and a lot of them for free) that can do a relatively decent simulation of, well, it's mostly keyboard and percussion instruments because their interface is a lot more computer-friendly than most wind or string instruments. They could be a decent way of figuring out just how the notes work. I'd probably go with Perfect Piano, since it's free, sounds kinda like a proper piano, and even has the notes' names on each key.

Maybe if you want to try a proper musical instrument good for absolute beginners that's bloody cheap, I'd suggest a kalimba (thumb piano; I have a little one made by Mountain Melodies that I have on my lap right now, maybe when you're confident enough, you can move onto the Hugh Tracey models) or an ocarina (Susato actually makes a little plastic one that's dirt cheap, small enough to enclose in your fist and hang around your neck, and can actually play "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly" pretty easily, and why the fuck did my school have us play recorders when these were an option?).

I'm personally a guitarist, but I have to admit, decent quality guitar gear can be expensive. The flagship guitars and amps from the real big name brands can easily head into the quadruple-figure range, and, odds are, if it's below $100, caveat fucking emptor...

Really, just find a direction that intrigues you, and you can almost certainly find a wealth of information about how to get there, at least when it comes to playing an instrument. Making something good, on the other hand...