You can get away with a reasonable "ear" when playing guitar, accordion and so on, BUT, to play the violin/fiddle it is essential that you have a very good pair of ears. It's very rare that, on a local level, in folkie, jazz or even classical circles, I hear consistently good intonation. Certainly give it a good try - but if your not bang in tune ( most of the time), then, you're not where you should be.