Hi Helicraig,
No such thing as a stupid question so don't worry about that here.
The low RRPM horn action you mention from the handbook is correct especially when you have forward speed.
Roll on throttle to increase engine output
Lower lever to reduce pitch and drag to also help increase RRPM
The aft cyclic input is to increase disc loading which will bring up the RRPM
The disadvantage of a low inertia rotor system is that you can drop rotor RPM quickly however the opposite is also true in that you can recover it again fairly quickly especially by loading the disc. Hopefully this should be shown by all instructors and covered in the further effects of controls also.
In the case of Vortex ring/settling with power you will probably not have much airspeed as this forms one of the three factors required
Low airspeed indicated, high rate of descent and power applied. You therefore need to remove one of these three to recover hence the forward cyclic to gain airspeed. Unfortunately this normally happens close to the ground on approach or photo sorties when orbiting a scene and the resulting height loss can be exciting to disastrous.
With the advent of governors in even the piston market now I fear that not enough is understood by new pilots of energy conservation and management with regard to the rotor system. Probably one of the most important aspects of flying our chosen helicopter and very much so when the donkey quits.
Ask an instructor who understands such things (they all should) to talk it through with you and fly it also if you want.