beginner program help

[Maelstrom]

Ok, new to the arranging business, but I would like to get started. I downloaded finale 2012 notepad, but it is incredibly unintuitive. I also have guitartux, which is a better program and can create guitar tabs from a MIDI file, along with many more editing options. However, it does not have the option for a keyboard input for the notes. Any other programs to suggest? Is transcribe! and good for an assistance program? It can be easily set to play only a portion of a piece and can suggest notes. Obviously, since I am new at this, I'm not going to go out and buy Finale 2014 or whatever, but might do the trial just because. So, any suggestions? I have a few pieces "figured out" but haven't taken the time to write them down. I am very intrested in any sort of keyboard interface possible.

[braix]

(I'm being no help by saying this, but...)I have absolutely no idea if you can even use your MIDI keyboard in Finale. Finale seems to me like a note-for-note thing so far. Clickies the note, clickies it in, rinse and repeat. At least for me, but don't listen too much to what I'm saying; I'm pretty much the arranging noob here at EnEsEm(huehuehue). As for ze programaaaaah, just get trials for random stuff, try it out, uninstall, and keep doing that until you find somethin you like. Finale is good, though.

PS: Just Google it.

[Maelstrom]

I was able to get the keyboard to work, but I found out that you still need to decide what notes it inputs. Otherwise, it works fine.

[braix]

Just use hotkeys for that note changing thing and you should be fine

[Maelstrom]

I'll do that as soon as school's over. I'm homeschooled, so I don't have much work after the next 2-3 weeks. So I guess you'll be hearing from me again!

[mikey]

Hopefully we will.
I'd like to see what you're working on when it's done

[Maelstrom]

I have rundas battle from MP3, but I haven't transcribed it yet