Final answer:
A woodwind instrument, such as the oboe, operates by forcing air through a narrow space between reeds, altering the resonating air column's length via finger holes or keys to create different pitches.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to woodwind instruments, which are a family of musical instruments within the more general category of wind instruments.
Woodwind instruments work on the principle of a resonating air column, with variations in pitch created by altering the effective length of this column through the opening and closing of finger holes or keys. The oboe is notable for requiring a significant amount of breath to play, as air is forced through a narrow space between two small wooden reeds.
Examples of woodwind instruments include the flute, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon, in addition to the aforementioned oboe. Brass instruments such as the trumpet or tuba, while also wind instruments, are not classified as woodwinds. Stringed instruments like the violin, membranophones such as drums, and idiophones like bells are other categories of instruments that should not be confused with woodwinds.