A look at the Billboard charts shows that most songs involving the Stratocaster guitar point to the genres Soul, Funk, New Jack Swing and Synthie Pop and are limited to the period of the 1980s. But there are also areas like rock and blues rock, which are dominated by the Stratocaster sound.

Since the 1960s, well known players like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton or Marc Knopfler have achieved a kind of personal musical profile through this instrument. Others, like John Mayer, still use this instrument for its sound today.

These observations go to show that the Stratocaster represents, so to speak, a classic, timeless guitar instrument.

On the stylistic level, three playing techniques are mainly used: rhythmic chords, rhythmic octaves and single note lines. All three varieties are pure accompaniment techniques and were sometimes used simultaneously in recordings.

The attack with the plectrum often takes place near the fingerboard, i.e. above the third pickup. The funkyness is created by the highlighted application of ghost notes. With this style of playing the percussive character of playing the Stratocaster and its functionality becomes part of the rhythm section.

Often the hollow Stratocaster sound is enriched with chorus and some reverb. The preferred amplifier for the Stratocaster is the Fender Twin Reverb, which in itself delivers a bright and clear sound. In the studio, such amplifiers were often bypassed. The non-discolored signal of the Stratocaster is sent directly into the mixer and is slightly compressed.