Final answer:
The instrument being described is the piccolo, a small, light member of the woodwind family capable of playing very high pitches.
Step-by-step explanation:
You are describing a piccolo. A piccolo is a small, half-sized flute, a member of the woodwind family. It is indeed small, light, and typically black in color, although it can be made from various materials. It has a higher pitch and sits an octave above the concert flute, distinguishing itself by playing the highest notes in the woodwind section. The piccolo produces a distinctive high pitch through the resonance occurring in its air column, just like other wind instruments that amplify tones using resonance in air columns. Nonetheless, unlike the oboe, which faces challenging reed requirements, the piccolo utilizes a different setup that contributes to its characteristic sound.