I'm 58 years old and decided to learn the fiddle. My instructor is 18, okay 40 years difference - figure the math! She is awesome starting at 5 years old, in both violin and fiddle and has won many awards, etc. She has started me learning just as she did. We have used three thin pieces of electrical tape to mark the major notes. At first I had to look to see where to put my fingers, but now after 9 months of lessons, I watch the music and only occasionally look at the fiddle neck; and this is usually if something doesn't sound right. So you still learn an "ear" for the notes with just a little help from electrical tape. Go for it!!