Personal Note:

My story of how I became a drummer...

First of all my Family has a long musician history since my grandfather 

 (Eduard Hofschildt) was a military drummer who also played a devils-violin (do you know what this is ?). 

 My dad  (Rolf Hofschildt)  was an famous organ and akordeon player in my hometown and I went very often with him to gigs were he played with his partner Horst Sassen (drums) and helped them to set up the instruments. This way I was very early confronted with the Music of the 60s and 70s. I got my first drum sticks at the age of 5 from Horst and was very proud since he was my Idol at the time. 

  
Finally my parents  grew tired of me misusing their kitchen pots and cocktail chairs for the purpose of a drum set, since I only had the sticks and plenty of rhythm in my blood and I needed something to hit on. So finally they decided to buy me a real drum set under the premise to study this instrument from the very beginning.

I couldn’t resist so I started at age 9, for over 3 years with a private mentor studying drums by the book. Walz, Mambo, Tango, Rumba and so forth by the note. I still remember my first lesson because my Mentor showed me his whole drum set which was very impressive. However, the first 6 months I was only allowed to practised on the snare drum. I got drilled in reading notes, counter and practical hit-technics for months before we started to add the bass drum and later on the other drum parts. Piece by piece and note by note according to the old school of drum professionells like Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.

When I turned 12 I began to play with Bands in public. From this time (1975) I never really put the sticks away. In the following decade I studied in numerous workshops with drummer legends like Charly Antolini to develope my own style. I also admire the drum technic of Pete York, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Billy Cobham and latin legend Tito Puente. 

 I had many students who learned this instrument under my mentor-ship, just like I did as a young man.

I played with many musicians and Bands around the globe, all kinds of music styles and I love to do this as a session, studio and or tour drummer for hopefully a very long time.