Cheeseburger in Paradise: Drums
For a Minimum of Five Steel Drums, Plus Drumset, and Optional Bass Guitar
By Jimmy Buffett / arr. Jeff Moore
Item: 00-PC-0014624_D
$3.00
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Description
Steel drum bands are becoming increasingly more common in school and community music programs. Students from K--12, to college age and beyond, are experiencing the joy of performing on these Caribbean-created instruments. Compositions and arrangements for the steel drum band have been limited and challenging to obtain . . . until now. Alfred proudly announces Alfred's Steel Drum Ensemble Series, which will address the need for quality steel drum music written for all levels of bands. From elementary/beginning band to high school, college, community, and professional groups, the pieces you are looking for are here, expertly written by educators who have vast experience working with steel drum bands at all levels.
The music of Jimmy Buffet can always be found at the top of a steel drum band's request list. His song, Cheeseburger in Paradise, is one of the most popular and cannot help but bring a smile to anyone who hears it. This Buffet classic is arranged for Lead, Double Tenor, Double Second, Cello/Guitar, Bass Pans, Bass Guitar (optional), and Drumset by Jeff Moore. It is sure to be a hit at your band's next gig or concert.
The music of Jimmy Buffet can always be found at the top of a steel drum band's request list. His song, Cheeseburger in Paradise, is one of the most popular and cannot help but bring a smile to anyone who hears it. This Buffet classic is arranged for Lead, Double Tenor, Double Second, Cello/Guitar, Bass Pans, Bass Guitar (optional), and Drumset by Jeff Moore. It is sure to be a hit at your band's next gig or concert.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Cheeseburger in Paradise: Drums comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred's Pop Steel Drum Ensemble Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
18
SKU:
00-PC-0014624_D
Instrumentation:
Steel Drum Ensemble (6+ Players)
More about this title
About the Composer: Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett built a four-decade career on songs that celebrate leisure, tropical imagery, and the joy of escaping life's pressures. His 1978 hit "Cheeseburger in Paradise" became an anthem for audiences seeking lighthearted, feel-good music that doesn't take itself seriously. Buffett's catalog has proven remarkably durable in educational and community music settings, where his melodies and lyrics resonate across age groups and skill levels.
Why we love this
This arrangement captures what makes Buffett's music work so well in ensemble settings: it's instantly recognizable, genuinely fun to play, and doesn't require technical virtuosity to sound polished. Steel drum bands thrive on repertoire that engages audiences and builds ensemble confidence, and this piece delivers both in spades.
What to expect
Warm, breezy, and instantly vacation-ready. The steel drum sonorities capture the tropical spirit Buffett intended, while the familiar melody invites listeners to relax and smile. There's an inherent playfulness here that lifts the energy of any performance.
Who it's for
Steel drum bands at the intermediate level and beyond will find this arrangement accessible without feeling simplistic. Directors working with school, community, and college ensembles can program this knowing it will engage both performers and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the Lead pan melody against the supporting Double Tenor and Double Second pans so the tune cuts through without drowning out the harmonic voices.
- Keep the rhythm section (Bass Pans, Bass Guitar, and Drumset) locked together as the foundation; the groove is what makes this arrangement swing.
- Use the optional Bass Guitar part to strengthen the low end in larger ensembles or outdoor venues where projection matters.
- Let the ensemble settle into the laid-back character of the tune rather than pushing the tempo; Buffett's material rewards a relaxed, confident delivery.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a lighter moment in a concert of world percussion, or as an opener to shift the mood toward something more audience-friendly. It's equally at home in a casual community performance, school assembly, or end-of-year celebration where you want students to feel proud of what they've accomplished.
Skills your students will build
- Pan balance and blend within the steel drum ensemble
- Maintaining steady groove and lock with the rhythm section
- Ensemble dynamics and phrasing in a tropical/pop idiom
- Melodic clarity and articulation on steel drums
- Rhythmic independence across percussion voices