Billy Squier - The Stroke

How to play Billy Squier - The Stroke by Unknown on guitar

This is a punchy, beginner-friendly rock tune that feels tight and driving at about 120 BPM. You’ll get a strong groove quickly, and the repeating riff-like harmony makes it satisfying to lock in.

The chart mixes open shapes and barre shapes, so your left hand will need to switch between easier grips and more demanding ones. Watch the opening move from G#m to B to Cm to Am, since that shift can slow you down if you do not prepare the next shape early.

Start by practicing the opening progression very slowly and cleanly, then loop just the barre changes until they feel automatic. After that, add the open shapes back in and bring the tempo up in small steps until you can stay steady all the way through.

Use the play-along above to follow each chord change in time with the music, or learn the shapes first with the chord diagrams below.