This may be an experience from the Golden Age, but some years ago I walked into a giant Computerstuff emporium, and I bought a music-learning kit called MusicStar. It included a little keyboard which can cover four octaves but is only 18 inches long. (I ignored the rest of the kit.) I think it cost $60.

This keyboard plugs into a Soundblaster soundcard, which has its own drivers. This means that you (or a serviceman) opens your computer, rams a card into a slot, closes the computer and puts some software on from CD or even some floppies. Then the cord from the keyboard plugs into the part of the soundcard that sticks out of your computer case.

In time, I bought Noteworthy Composer software to compose and arrange with. It cost $30. Noteworthy is pretty popular with Mudcatters.

I have been having fun (more or less) ever since.