Music is for everyone.

Even if the only instrument we can play is an iPod, there is scientific evidence that our exposure to music is making us smarter.

Listening to complex (often classical) music can immediately improve our performance on tests of spatial intelligence and learning a musical instrument can strengthen our analytical and mathematical skills.

The study of music is credited with a number of additional real-world benefits: coordination, discipline, persistence, organization, multi-tasking and collaboration.

So crank up your favorite tunes and enjoy these American-made products that celebrate the power of music.

Grado Labs – Made in Brooklyn, New York

My what gorgeous earphones you have! The better to hear you with, my dear.

And boy, can you hear better with these.

Today Grado Labs headphones are known as symbols of quality in both workmanship and sound. One look at the company’s history and you will realize that these modern marvels are part of a rich tradition of audio engineering and manufacture.

Joseph Grado founded the company in 1955 and quickly developed a reputation for making some of the best phono cartridges on the market. (The company still makes high quality cartridges should you need one.) In the late 1980′s, he turned his extensive knowledge to the headphone, going on to develop “the first high-end dynamic headphone.”

Mr. Grado was succeeded by his long-time apprentice and nephew, John Grado. John has continued the family’s commitment to the production of precision audio devices with the introduction of Grado’s Prestige Series. The headphones in this series have won more awards than any other headphone line in the world.

Never satisfied, the company released the GS1000i (left, $995), its flagship model. With its singular combination of mahogany and metal, the GS1000i achieves a sound quality and clarity that has never before been delivered through a headphone of any brand. Not surprisingly the GS1000, and its upgraded counterpart, the GS1000i, have garnered numerous awards including the 2007 Hi-Fi Choice Award for Best Headphone in its price class. (All that and good looking too.)

If the GS1000i is a bit out of your price range, take heart. You can start enjoying the Grado sound for around $80.  And thanks to the influence of John’s two sons, Grado now offers in-ear models perfect for use with your laptop or MP3 player.

Listen up! Visit www.gradolabs.com.

Pop Chart Lab – Made in Brooklyn, New York

Looking for a way to pay tribute to the power cord? Well, look no further.

The creative minds at Pop Chart Lab have created a Periodic Table of Heavy Metals (left, $25).

The heavy metals represented by this chart do not occur in nature. Here 303 heavy metal bands are color-coded by genre – from alternative, avant-garde, black and death to technical death, thrash, unblack and viking.

Why? Good question.

Pop Chart Lab is what happens when a book editor and a graphic designer attempt to bring order to an orderless world. (Other examples include The Titanic Taxonomy of Wrestler Names and The Splendiferous Array of Culinary Tools.)

Whether you are a fan of the heavy metal’s aggressive, guitar-wailing distortion or not, you cannot help but be a fan of Pop Chart Lab’s tribute as it is tangible evidence that both intelligence and a sense of humor are still in ready supply.

Like all of their prints, Periodic Table of Heavy Metals is printed on 100 lb. archival recycled stock. It is currently in a first edition print-run of 1,000 that is both signed and numbered by the artists.

Stop your head-banging and head over to popchartlab.com!

Backyard Brand - Made in Riverside, Illinois

Are your inner musician and gadget-guru in a constant struggle for supremacy?

Then you need the FlashHarp (left, starting at $44.99).

This delightful invention is a playable harmonica and a fully functioning USB drive. And although, it sounds like hours of fun (and it is!), it is not a toy.

Backyard Brand designer/owner, Jim McLean, assembles industry-leading inner workings for both the harmonica and USB under customized stainless steel covers, so the FlashHarp is always ready to make a little music or just do back up.

Not a harmonica player? Jim will teach you. For an additional $5, you can order your FlashHarp loaded with 5-step how-to video.

The FlashHarp is available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB. And can be personalized. (Probably a good idea! Anything this cool is likely to wander off!)

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a cooler gift!

Don’t blow it! Go to www.backyardbrand.com.

Girls Can Tell - Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rowdy musicians (husbands, girlfriends or kids) leaving water marks on your Biedermeier? Fear not.

These coasters (above, $16 set of 4) are so hip that even people with no regard for your furniture will be clamoring to use them.

Sara Selepouchin is the detailed eye and steady hand behind Girls Can Tell’s trademark diagrams. Since 2006, she has been bringing her talents as an architect and mechanical drawer to bear on recycled cotton lunch bags, flour sack tea towels, organic tote bags, recycled paper notebooks and industrial wool felt coasters.

She has diagrammed everything from instruments and machines to body parts and monuments. And because Sara is always up for a challenge, you can even submit ideas for future diagrams. If she produces your diagram, you will score some free loot!

But don’t wait for inspiration to strike to check out all of Sara’s clever, handsome and useful products today.

Strum on over to www.girlscantell.com.

Surfpick – Made in USA

Want to be a better guitar player? Get a better pick.

What, you ask, could possibly be better than those garishly colored plastic picks you buy 4 for $1? Surfpick. (left, $18-25)

Ra Denney, the musician/innovator behind Surfpick, is committed to the idea that the pick is the crucial link between player and instrument. Given its importance, Ra believes the pick should be as carefully made as the instrument.

Since their introduction in 2003, Surfpicks have converted many skeptics and developed a loyal following of professional musicians, instructors and enthusiastic amateurs.

What Ra knew and others have discovered is that the right pick changes not only the way you play your instrument, increasing your sensitivity, speed and accuracy, but it also changes the way that your instrument sounds, creating a richer, fuller tone.

Each Surpick is sculpted by hand. What makes these picks even more special is the wood that Ra uses to form them. Surfpicks are made of lignum vitae (LV), the densest wood on Janka Hardness Scale. In addition to its strength, LV has an unusual cellular structure that prevents the it from accepting any finish, but also makes it possible for it to be sanded to the smoothness of marble. And that is just what Ra does. His finished products are as hard as stone and as smooth as glass.

Sure, Surfpicks cost more but, if the litany of compliments on the Surfpick website is any indication, they are well worth it.

Pick up one today at surfpick.com.

Soundscreen Design – Made in Utah*

Could your old bag use a tune up?

That is because you don’t have this messenger bag (left, $100) from Soundscreen Design (SSD). This bag is always in tune.

Designed to carefully cradle 7 and 10 LPs, SSD’s messenger is as big on capacity – 23”l x 15”h x 7”d – as it is details.  The exterior is constructed of water and UV resistant polyester featuring a bold tuning fork-inspired graphic on its flap. Meanwhile, the bag’s interior is lined with recycled vinyl (read “waterproof”) billboards. As a result, the interior of each bag is unique.

The details do not stop with the design, however. SSD has constructed this bag for daily use (and abuse) by giving it reinforced seams, heavy duty buckles, shoulder strap padding and a chest load stabilizer.

So who are these music-loving design aficionados and where have they been all of your life? Soundscreen Design is a product design company started in 2008 and based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Their range of wares (household, apparel, books and prints) are all music inspired and often include limited run series.

Check out all of SSD’s noteworthy designs at www.soundscreendesign.com.

*Not all of Soundscreen Design’s goods are made in Utah, as this bag is. Check sourcing for production locations.

Tiny Peepers – Made in Raleigh, North Carolina

At last, some good clean fun – no strings attached.

You can enjoy these musical instruments while tiding up in the kitchen.

Tiny Peeper’s silkscreened tea towels (above, $14/each) are the creation of Kelly Smith-Tilly. Her designs are inspired by the beauty and pattern of the ordinary objects and shapes in her every day life.

Printed by hand on 100% cotton with non-toxic, water based inks, these tea towels are fabulous enough to be pure decoration. However, with their generous dimensions, 18″w x 28″, and corner hang tags, they are ready for whatever you can dish out.

Who knows? These towels might just be cool enough to cause your friends and family to volunteer to help you in the kitchen.

Act a-chordingly. Visit www.tinypeepers.com.

Michael Roger Press, Inc. – Made in USA

This is decidedly on the record!

Equal parts word-play — record (LP)/record (journal) — and aesthetics make this a must-have.

The front cover of this 7″w x 10″h notebook (left, $38) is a vintage LP. In fact, the good folks at Michael Roger Press will let you choose which musical genre graces the cover. They will also let you choose to be surprised.

What you cannot choose is the quality. Don’t be fooled by its playful good-looks. The LP Notebook is seriously well-crafted. It is hand-assembled and sewn using techniques employed by the finest bookmakers. Further, the spine and back of the notebook are covered in colored bookcloth that compliments the vinyl’s original label.

Since its founding in 1949 Michael Roger Press has been successfully marrying the customer’s need for quality with inspiring design. A family-owned business, the company is as comfortable creating its own line as it is working with customers to realize their vision.

Love the look of this journal? Then you definitely want to check out Michael Roger Press’ 45 photo album and LP jacket sketchbook.

Book it over to www.bookbinders.com.

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Only one more school-themed post to go.

Any ideas what it might be?

Your comments and recommendations are always welcome.

Thanks for reading.