When I was a kid, the music my guitar teacher gave me was either "Go tell Aunt Rhodie", or classical. I was around 9-10 years old. Not the greatest experience. My 13 year old is trying to learn guitar now. We started with blues shuffles and turnarounds. Why? Because he thinks they're cool, and they get him excited. Now we're moving to chords. This may seem backwards, but his level of excitement is being maintained.
Also, I learned from my own experience about instrument choice. I started on a 1/2 size steel guitar, with an action that I now realize Stevie Ray Vaughan would have thought was too high. My son is learning on a nicely set-up Squire Strat. Plays like butter. Guitar should be FUN! I don't see why violin should be any different.
Blues