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MusicRadar predicts a touchscreen Apple computer in 2009

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New year is a good time as any for thinking about what you do and where you want to go. And, indeed, what others might plan to do over the coming year.

So MusicRadar sat down and worked out its collective resolutions and predictions for 2009.

Check back in 12 months time to see how we got on and how right we were!

MusicRadar's 2009 resolutions

Just go and buy that guitar

There's always a reason not to make that all important guitar purchase: rent, gas bills, car insurance, shoes for the wife and food for the kids. But honestly, how much longer can you put it off? It doesn't even have to be expensive! Buy a second hand Epiphone 335 and pimp it out with some Bareknuckle pickups or get yourself a Fender Baja Tele - practically custom-shop spec'd for under £500. Do it. Tom Porter

Clear out your plug-ins folder

If you're anything like us, your virtual instrument and effects racks will be filled with plug-ins that you installed on a whim but never actually use. Now's the time to purge your computer of these unnecessary software ornaments – go through your collection and streamline it where appropriate. Restricting your creative parameters might sound daft, but it'll focus your mind and help you to create better music. Ben Rogerson

Experiment with alt tunings

It's easy to get in a writing rut as a guitarist, but alt tunings can help you escape. New melodies will arrive, new songwriting structures can be exposed. If alt tunings are good enough for songwriters diverse as Bob Dylan, Sonic Youth and Keith Richards, there's no excuse not to dive in. Michael Leonard

Check out Justin Sandercroe's video lesson on open G

Play with others more

I've been playing the drums too much to CDs. While it's been great drumming along with Ringo and Charlie Watts and dozens more, I miss the interaction of live musicians, of making silly mistakes in front of people and seeing their reaction. Or making silly mistakes that actually work and seeing another kind of reaction. So I'm going to do what musicians do: play with other musicians. (Now, if I can just find the time.) Joe Bosso

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