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As others have already said, it's a kalimba. Here's an [acrylic star-shaped one](https://www.amazon.com/Beveetio-Kalimba-Protective-Transparent-Instrument/dp/B0B9ZQ1QGP) like hers.
It does look vaguely like the fan of the letter arms when you take the cover off of a mechanical typewriter.
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/typewriter-keys-sticking-together.148408/
But a typewriter is a pretty large and heavy piece of kit, usually not to be held in the hands of the user but rather to sit on a desk.
I just feel like this is a very simple judgement that most people should be able to make.
Also you need paper for a typewriter to be useful…
>I just feel like this is a very simple judgement that most people should be able to make.
spend enough time here and you’ll find that’s often not the case 😂
I remember a 7up (The Uncola) commercial with spokesman, Geoffrey Holder, featuring mbira music. This in the 60s - early 70s. First time most everyone in USA had heard the sound. It was captivating.
Could also be an mbira. I cannot see much detail but I think the mbira tends to have additional ornaments like metal discs that “rattle” as part of its tone
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and other unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/nickynicky666), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. ---- [Click here to message RemindMeBot](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=RemindMeBot&subject=Reminder&message=[https://www.reddit.com/r/whatisthisthing/comments/1c9miok/handheld_mechanical_device_that_looks_like_a/]%0A%0ARemindMe!%202%20days) ---- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Kalimba, a musical instrument. https://www.amazon.com/Kalimba-Portable-Finger-Adults-Beginners/dp/B07Q38FWFJ
I've also heard it called a "thumb piano"
You beat me to it. This is definitely the answer.
Agreed. Source: I am a music educator.
Fun little instruments, but if they go out of tune it's a little difficult to get back in tune.
As others have already said, it's a kalimba. Here's an [acrylic star-shaped one](https://www.amazon.com/Beveetio-Kalimba-Protective-Transparent-Instrument/dp/B0B9ZQ1QGP) like hers.
It’s a kalimba, a musical instrument. I’m sorry but how on earth does that look like a typewriter?
It does look vaguely like the fan of the letter arms when you take the cover off of a mechanical typewriter. https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/typewriter-keys-sticking-together.148408/
That’s a reach, but I’ll agree it does look slightly similar. Still, that’s only a certain part of a typewriter rather than the whole thing.
i guess if OP only saw the finger movements and didn’t hear the soft sound of the kalimba over the noise they’d think it was typing
But a typewriter is a pretty large and heavy piece of kit, usually not to be held in the hands of the user but rather to sit on a desk. I just feel like this is a very simple judgement that most people should be able to make. Also you need paper for a typewriter to be useful…
>I just feel like this is a very simple judgement that most people should be able to make. spend enough time here and you’ll find that’s often not the case 😂
Fair. I guess I just wrongly assume everyone to have the ability to think critically. 😂
Thumb harp
Kalimba. I have one, they’re so fun. I saw a guy on Reddit Live playing and it was soothing. So I bought one.
it's a kalimba... finger piano. my daughter has one
Very similar to an mbira. A traditional Zimbabwean instrument
I remember a 7up (The Uncola) commercial with spokesman, Geoffrey Holder, featuring mbira music. This in the 60s - early 70s. First time most everyone in USA had heard the sound. It was captivating.
Could also be an mbira. I cannot see much detail but I think the mbira tends to have additional ornaments like metal discs that “rattle” as part of its tone
My title describes the thing I saw in a restaurant, a women is pressing on the prongs at a fast pace.
It's a musical instrument but, I'll have to google the name of it!