Lessons for Violin

I am 26 and me and my wife are living in different states due to work. I want to learn to play an instrument and she plays the violin and said she would give me one to learn with.

I have never played an instrument, and do not know how to read music. Can I at this age really learn this instrument? How difficult is it? Will I ever be able to play by ear?

I want to begin taking violin lessons. I have thrown myself in to my education and I am about to graduate college. I have always wanted to learn to play the violin and was wondering what instrument I should get. I see some violins that are selling for 50.00 but I have also heard they are not the best to learn on. What do you think is a good violin? My budget is no more than 300.00

So I’m 19, and completely new to the world of classical music. Nevertheless, I’d like to learn to play the violin. What I need is: learn how to read notes, buy a violin, and learn to play it (of course).
But I’m afraid that I’m just too old and ignorant to learn to play.

1) Is it ok to buy a really cheap (low quality) violin just to learn how to play and then buy a better one once I’ve gotten better?
2) Is it a problem that I can’t read notes yet? Will they teach me at whatever school I go to? Or can I “homeschool” myself?

I keep being told that the violin is one of the instruments you need to start with when you’re still little, otherwise, you won’t be able to learn to play it that well. Is this true? Am I too old to start?

The only instrument I can play is the piano, and even that was self taught so I never learned to play it well or to read sheet music.

I am 22 and I’ve always wanted to play the violin. I have been playing the guitar for several years now (so I know a few things about music) but I have never even touched or picked up a violin in my life. I am looking for a good, affordable beginner’s violin that is geared more towards classical music rather than fiddle music. I noticed that there are several different sizes as well. I have smaller-than-average hands with slim fingers. Should I get a smaller size? should I take violin lessons? is it possible at
all to be self-taught with the violin?