Questions regarding playing and literature

[Rasputin]

Hello all,

I'm a saxophone student, and about to do the unthinkable- start taking lessons on the contra. I have experience on the guitar, and already read the bass clef. The bass is 3/4 and from speaking to the teacher, he knows what he's doing. He told me that it will take about a year or a year and a half to learn basic playing well, and that I'm free from there to go into any musical direction I want.

Is there a recommanded book on the history of the Double Bass from the middle ages until the EMC sound of the EUB?
Do you think that it's a bit late to start at 20?
Any opinions on Francois Rabbath?

Any tips in general?

Thanks!

[Stumbo]

Welcome to TB.

This is a great question for the DB section of TalkBass. I suggest you start a thread.

Good luck.