JENNIFER BATTEN (Guitar News Weekly #84, April 4, 2000

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Guitar News Weekly
Edition #84, April 4, 2000

JENNIFER BATTEN

Rock guitarist Jennifer Batten has toured and performed with Michael Jackson. A pioneer and innovator of the "two-handed tapping method," Batten's music encompasses rock, jazz, blues, heavy metal, and classical styles. Her roots and influences include Joe Satriani and Van Halen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
from Official Jennifer Batten Site:
http://www.batten.com/

* What kind of strings do I use?
Dean Markley Blue Steels .009 --- .046 gauge. I keep fairly low action basically to make tapping easier. I'll keep them as low as they can go without fretting out.

* What kind of picks do I use?
I've been using little Fender heavies for the last 10 or 12 years

* What sound gear/guitars do you use?
Check out the gear page for details on EVERYTHING I use and then some http://www.batten.com/gear.htm

* How did I get the Michael Jackson gig?
There was an audition in 1987 of about 100 guitar players and I was one of the 2 lucky winners. The other was Jon Clark, (who also did some touring with Lionel Richie, and Donny Osmond afterwards).

* How did I get the Jeff Beck gig?
I tracked him down while on tour with Michael Jackson in 92 just to meet him. I gave him my 1st CD and he called a few months later regarding doing a project together. We both got involved in other things but finally it came together in the spring of 98 when he hired me to tour Europe, followed by South America. Following this we cut "Who Else". Other players include Steve Alexander, Randy Hope Taylor, Jan Hammer and Tony Hymas. It was released in March 99 at the beginning of the Who Else tour USA. We went to Japan in May/June and will do a 2nd USA leg late summer.

* How do you get the synth sounds on the Beck tour?
I'm using the Roland GI 10 midi converter and JV 1080's for synth sounds. I'm also triggering a few samples from an Akai 3000 sampler. I'm using the Roland GK2 pick up and now have them mounted on all my guitars. They're available as an option on my Batten model Washburn guitar . (Available summer 99)I have 3 volume pedals and 2 seperate patch switchers (one for synth one for guitar) + a Digitech whammy pedal, a wah pedal (at one setting for Even Odds)

* What was the MJ audition like?
It was very relaxed in that MJ wasn't there! Everything was video taped for him to see at a later date. There was no band present and we were to play by ourselves. We were told that part of it had to be some rhythm playing as that was a majority of the what would be called for on the gig. I played some random funkified stuff, followed by some random rock soloing, followed by the 2 hand Giant Steps solo which later appeared on 'Guitar for the Practicing Musician's' premier compilation CD. Later a different version appeared on my first solo record.

* Who are your favorite guitar players?
1st of all, there's Jeff Beck-the God of all guitar Gods...and Joe Diorio, an avante guard jazz head. At one time I learned all the solos to 'Blow by Blow' and 'Wired' (JB). I also memorized 2 of Joe's books; 'Intervallic Designs' and 'Fusion'

After them comes a slew of cats - Van Halen, George Lynch, Steve Morse, Steve Lukather

* Who are some new players out that you like?
Johnny Lang is pretty phenomenal-definitely an old soul in a 16 year old body! Also there's a guy in Florida who I just got turned on to named Michael Bianco. He performs solo and sounds like 2 or 3 guys and is a master at tapping. He calls his music New Age Jazz--but don't let that throw ya! For his CD's and info:
ARS LONGA INC.
PO Box 39108,
Ft Lauderdale, FL 33339 USA

* What do you do in off time?
I run off into the hills with my dogs. It's the only peace I get these days. It's my favorite part of the day. The dogs: Jaco (a black Belgian shepard) and Towanda (sheltie). They ROCK! I tried to jump on the roller blade craze but I keep falling on my ass...so I'm over it. Also there's my South Park obsession....

* Where have you done clinics?
All over the planet. Mostly in Europe, but I've also been to S Africa, Mexico, South and Central America, Indonesia, and the U.S.

* How do you get all those bends on the records?
I use 3 methods of bending. a) fingers b)Floyd Rose bar c) Digitech's Whammy pedal. If it sounds like a slide guitar, most likely it's the Whammy pedal.

* Have you done an instructional video?
No. I'm not real excited about sitting in a room full of bright lights and cameras and no audience. Some day perhaps I'll do one that's more entertaining than the average. I'd like to include some live footage, but right now, my plate couldn't be fuller with other things.

* How can I get some transcriptions of music from your records?
You can get a transcription to 'Flight of the Bumble Bee' and 'Giant Steps' from the ABB record as part of the fan club membership

Send YOUR questions to: mondocongo@aol.com

Official Jennifer Batten Site: http://www.batten.com/