I want to keep windows but I want to be able to take advantage of some of the programs on Linix platform for musicians like Rakarrack for example. Please give me detailed instructions on safe websites for downloads and what to do with the download if it isnt self overtly obvious.

Welcome Evander!
https://launchpad.net/rakarrack
says keywords like "Xenial", "Wily", and "Vivid", so Ubuntu's Xenial.

Release Notes for 16.04 "Xenial"
Less than 4G of Ram / 32 bit.

Have Fun!

Safe is a rather vague term here.

If you want to keep windows then some of these ideas need to be considered.

One is a complete backup either using Microsoft's tools and or both having a full set of disc's to recover this computer.

I suggest that you consider a free virtual machine program. The program will act like a windows program where you run it from within windows. It is a software computer that shouldn't interact in an unsafe manner with your host computer. (assuming you already have used some security on Windows like not running as admin user and full firewall and antivirus)
Install this and read up on how to use. https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

If your windows installation is pre-installed it is almost certainly using UEFI so reading the information at the link below would be helpful. Most of the information will apply whether you are using Ubuntu or some other Linux.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UEFI