2012 is just hours old, and there's no better time to make up for a festive period full of excess and over-indulgence by making a start on a new year voyage of self improvement.

We don't mean exercising more, eating less or quitting smoking - although you should probably think about doing those things too. What we're talking about is taking the kind of action that might just lead to a life of fame, fortune, excess and erm... over-indulgence, intervention and rehab. That's right - we're here with 50 nuggets of advice, all designed to hone your rusty six-string skills until your playing is sharper than a school of piranha on kitten-back.

So, without further ado, from the Guitar-obsessed brains of Guitarist magazine and a host of rock star contributors, here are 50 sure-fire ways to become a better guitarist... click onwards!