I am 23 years old and have never played an instrument, although I was in choir throughout school, and I`m very interested in learning to play the violin. I`ve been shopping around for an instrument and teacher, and I was just wanting to get some feedback on both from those who have been there as beginners.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated as to type of violin, bow, and what to look for in an instructor.
Thank you in advance!

Hey, don`t worry, you`re in the same boat as moi. I`m 20 and have only been playing for 6 months. It`s never too late to do anything.
In terms on violin, I bought a second hand violin from a music teacher`s ex-student. I was told that this was better `cause new violins take longer to develop a good sound and older violins are naturally louder (something to do with wood hardening). But can be risky buying an old violin `cause you can meet unscrupulous sellers who sell you crap cracked ones. I think you should eye a student violin (Stentor violins are popular and they`re pretty damn good for first violins) `cause as a student, we tend to do funny things with our first instrument... it`ll hurt too much to un-intentionally damage an expensive violin. Get my drift?
Oh, and it`s even riskier buying from eBay `cause you don`t get to feel your instrument before you buy.
Anyways, good on you for picking it up! Join the club! lol

Well, the best advice I can really give you is to get a good teacher and practice a lot. I started in the sixth grade and got to the point of being a high intermidiate player in my first year of playing. I`m in the ninth grade now.

Don`t get a tutor yet!! They will tell you you have potential but they say that to every student! how else could they make a living. Read the books they show you alot of things like how to hold the violin, postions, how to tighten the bow and many other things. If after reading the books you can`t progress any further and are still interested in the violin then take a non credit collge course at the community college. After the first year then maybe look for a tutor but if you want to play just for fun you don`t reaaly need one.

I got a violin a couple of months ago and i was doing great until i tried to tune it. i would suggest getting someone to help you with that; i broke four or five strings trying to do it myself. otherwise it is not that hard to figure out yourself! have fun!

Wow this is so cool I`m not the only 23 year old out there who is interested in learning the violin.
I`ve been playing instruments for 15 years now, but never the violin and always wanted to. I`ve been singing since junior high.
Anyway what are some of the best brands?
I posted something on the second page of the stradivarius conversation. I have a million and one questions about those so if anyone reading this has a moment to check those questions out please do I need all of the help I can get.
Thanks