This is slightly OT as Free Software on Windows will do just as well....

My colleague with whom I make a lot of music has been squeezing her
creativity through a "free" version of Garage Band on a iPad.  She has
had a great time with the UI but is beset by all the problems we all
know of with such products.  She does not own, and cannot afford, a
Apple computer so cannot really get the benefits of Garage Band.

In the Free Software world what would be the best next step?  Is there one?

I am flumoxed because I have a different approach (I prefers issuing
instructions to moving icons)  and Garage Band is a complete mystery to me.

cheers
Worik