CASTLEVANIA NOOB HERE please help!!!

• ok what does "down-forward" mean? does it mean press down forward at the same time or what??
  
• and also, i dont know how to equip/use weapons.
  
• also, can someone give me some tips on how to beat dracula without getting hit
  
• lastly,  how to defeat the Slogra & Gaibond bosses.

 Press select to equip weapons