The drum is a musical instrument that can be found all over the world. Its popularity is increasing constantly. The target of this work is to investigate the fundamental reasons for the "fascination of the drum", how the drum - compared to other musical instruments - is perceived and evaluated, how drum sounds are experienced, and how the drum can be used effectively in an educational context. Special attention has been drawn on drumming as a means to enhance emotional education. After introductory reflections on the definition, emergence, and description of the drum, its historical meaning - the archaic and ritual use of drums -, and its various effects, two investigations are being presented that point the way to the physiological effects of drum sounds. The first emphasis of the work lies on my own empirical investigations as to how musical instruments, under special consideration of the drum, are evaluated by impartial persons (without any professional relation to music) of both sexes, different age groups, and different educational background (89 Vpn). For this purpose a questionnaire has been developed. The characteristic differences in the perception and the effects of the instruments, in particular the drum, have been worked out in detail. The second emphasis of the work deals with empirical investigations on experiencing drum sounds. While listening to a continuous rhythm played on an African drum (Djembe) - a Latin American drum (Conga) for the control group - a test group of 68 persons (the control group consisted of 9 persons) had to fill in the questionnaires, thereby conveying their impressions respectively. It is shown how the test persons experienced the drum sound, which sound qualities they perceived, and which moods the drum sounds produced. It is shown that drum sounds offer a great variety of possibilities of extended perception. A third emphasis of the work is situated in the investigation of the question, in what way drums are applied effectively in an educational – and, also, therapeutical - context. Exemplarily, some established concepts (Meyberg, Northoff/Robbins, Wilson) and projects (Dembowski, Smaglinski) are being described, followed by my own experiences when using the drum in such contexts. Examples from different action fields are being represented: children, adolescents, adults, elderly people, handicapped. Two case studies, one from the school area, the other from a penitentiary for young people, are being described in detail. The respective intentions and possible effects are being summarized. A fourth emphasis of the work investigates the possibilities of the drum as a means to enhance emotional education. First the term "emotionality" is being clarified. Then two examples show which educational criteria are relevant for the development of emotional education. Furthermore it is examined in what extent musical education can enhance emotional learning. Drumming is being described systematically as a possibility to enhance emotional education as well as social competence. Sample applications in eight spheres of activity are being given as an illustration. It is shown that drumming under competent guidance – alone as well as in a group – can contribute to the satisfaction of one’s individual needs as well as to emotional learning. Drumming stimulates people (be they young, adults, healthy or ill) to become active in unusually new and special ways, to become more aware of themselves and their actions, and to try out new kinds of behaviour playfully. Learning processes are being triggered off and new forms of assimilating experiences are being opened. Drumming enables human beings to express their emotions and to communicate with each other in a sociable manner without the use of verbal language In view of the fact that in the last years aggressive behaviour, acts of violence and the escalation of conflicts particularly with children and adolescents are to be observed increasingly, the drum provides a suitable musical instrument to remove aggression and stress and to enhance the ability to communicate. One’s perception of oneself and the other is being sharpened and the one’s independence is being strengthened. Using the drum - if necessary in the context of regular musical education - enables 'emotional learning' and can contribute substantially to enhance social competence. <P> (Wenn Sie die Audiodateien hören wollen, benötigen Sie die entsprechenden Hardwareausstattung. Falls Sie nicht über einen Player für .wav-Dateien verfügen, können Sie die beigefügte Wav-playersetup.exe auf Ihrem Rechner installieren.)