FORUM

Joe, I think, as Oliver stated, setting goals, for you violin, on your calendar is a great way to meet your desires.  That's exactly how I work too.  Btw, sounds like you and I approach new interests the same way; I too become consumed with it, lol; drives my wife insane.

My goal, when I first committed to learning the violin, was to be able to "jam" [improvisation] with other musicians by this June 30th (I will have been learning for 6 months and a couple days by then).  I have realized now that "jamming" with a violin isn't quite as easy as playing chords on a guitar with other musicians; there's a higher level of mastery required to jam on a violin (that's my opinion).  Although, as I now think of it, FM did put together some Jazz Improv which would actually help me to achieve that goal; hmmmm, I've got another direction on which to coincidentally focus, lol.

However, now, after a little more than 3 months, I can keep up with "group play" of a common song.  I did it at a fiddle camp three weeks ago and it was exhilarating.  I have 6 reasonably complex songs in my bag that I can play anytime with anyone (assuming of course that they play in the same key that I know, lmao).

So I, personally, think your approach is great, and unless you're severely physically and/or mentally challenged, I'd believe you could very easily accomplish your goal by October; this site will help tremendously if you don't have a teacher.  Don't sweat the ink!  If you're new to this site, you may not know that you're very welcome to record your progress and post it periodically, for feedback from others on the site.  If you don't have a teacher, this feedback is invaluable.

NV, my first three song goals were Christmas songs too.  After 7 days (got my violin on Dec. 19th), I could chunk out the three songs, but I literally had to withhold serving Christmas dinner until they sat and listened to my torturous presentation.  You'll have a bunch nailed by Christmas time at the pace you're going!

Good luck!