INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are pocket-sized digital metronomes, wind-up mechanical metronomes, app metronomes for your phone, or you can even go all out and get a drum machine. Depending on your needs, some styles of metronome will perform better than others. In general, mechanical metronomes tend to have more basic features and work very well for a lot of the classical instruments that you'd find in an orchestra. Digital metronomes tend to have a lot of features designed with modern music performer in mind. Consider the instrument you play. There are a wide selection of metronomes on the market for good reason. Depending on the instrument you play and your personal preferences you might find only certain metronomes for you. For instance, if you are a drummer you may need a headphone jack, a line out, or volume control features. If you have a stringed instrument that needs to be tuned, you might want to opt for a metronome with a tuner. If you will need to use your metronome on the go, opt for a smaller digital or phone app metronome over larger wind-up mechanical metronomes. If find visual cues help you to anticipate the beat and keep time better, use a mechanical metronome. Watching the swinging pendulum while you play can help a musician to see the beat. Most electronic ones also have the option of a flashing diode or LED so you can either see the beat or hear it. Be sure the metronome you choose has a wide enough selection of BPMs to suit your needs. When you practice you will hear your metronome a lot, sometimes more than 100 times a minute depending on the speed of the piece. It is important to try a metronome to be sure it makes a sound you can work with. Some digital metronomes make a high-pitched digital beep, while many make a tock noise similar to a very loud clock. Try playing along with the metronome and make sure the sound will help you to keep time without getting on your nerves or distracting you from your performance. There are several metronome apps available for free in the app or play store.

SUMMARY: Learn the different types of metronomes. Determine additional features you need. Try it before you buy it.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It's important for both your comfort and health to make sure that your backpack doesn't get too heavy as the school year progresses. For example, if you're continuously adding assignments, projects, snacks, and additional school supplies, your bag is going to gain some weight. If you notice that it's difficult to lift your bag or that the straps cut into your shoulders, it's probably time to clean out and reorganize. Your backpack shouldn't weigh more than 10-20% of your weight. For example, if you weigh 120 lbs, your backpack shouldn't weigh more than 12 lbs. You don't want anything in your bag except what is absolutely necessary; your school books, writing utensils, and current assignments. This will not only help with the weight of your bag but also keep you organized. For example, you probably don't need to keep returned assignments, projects, or instructions for homework you've already completed. Though papers don't weigh a lot on their own, they can really add up when you're saving a bunch of them. Instead, keep a binder or file folder at home for all returned papers. You can even organize it by subject. This way, if your teacher requests an older assignment, you'll know exactly where it is and how to find it. You don't have to do this every day, but you should try to clean out your bag every two weeks or every month. It's difficult to keep everything in place and organized when you are moving from class to class all day. You might start throwing your pens and pencils directly into your bag and shoving your papers into your books instead of your folders. To avoid this, try taking an hour or two at the end of the week, or every other week, and clean out your bag. You should take everything out and go through it. Throw or file away unnecessary papers, trash, old food, and broken pens or pencils. Make sure assignments or papers are in the appropriate folders and organize them by date if you can. You can also wash or vacuum out your bookbag at this time, too.

SUMMARY:
Watch the weight of your bag. Keep everything in your backpack current. Clean out your backpack regularly.