Abstract: Musical bases for desk top articles including bases for notepads, writing instrument holders and paper clip dispensers. Each base is provided with a sound producing module for emitting, for instance, music advertising jingles and speech. Operation of the module is provided by actuation of a switch or sensor built into the base. Actuation is accomplished in a number of ways including pressing on the base, sliding a drawer from the base or removing or replacing a writing instrument from the base.