Finally, someone else who is completely confused by noting. Well, you're not alone. It confuses the living shit out of me.
Have you read this post:
The Hierarchy of VipassanaThat post contains more or less the ideas which have so far helped me in my confusion with noting practice.
I still get very confused, but this is what has helped so far:
I place all the emphasis on noticing what's going on (the sensations that make up my present moment experience) with 100% of my attention to the best of my ability. If noting is a tool which helps that purpose, then I use it. If it's not seeming to help with that purpose, then I just stop noting and pay attention to the sensations of my present moment experience to the best of my ability.
As far as I know, if you are noticing the sensations that make up your experience with as much precision and clarity as you can muster, working your way up the vipassana hierarchy as best you can, then as far as I know, that is the practice.
But, hey... that's just my two cents. Good luck with it. And, when in doubt... note (or notice) the doubt. When confused note (or notice) the confusion.