OP, thanks for the recommendation. My order came in the other day, and I find I'm already able to use a more relaxed grip and have better stability, especially on the fingerless notes.

You know, there are ways.. don't believe everything you see on fingering charts

[search : lazy fingering]

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My brain hurts

Gumby is alluding to the practice of using what I call "anchor fingers" so that there's always at least one finger on the tube.

It can be having the lower-hand little finger resting on the tube when upper-hand notes (A, B, c, c#) are being played.

Many would put that finger down for G as well.

Some keep that finger down the entire time, for every note. To me playing pats on E as to a lesser extent on F# are made more awkward when the lower-hand little finger is down. So I usually play D, E, and F# with the lower-hand little finger off, and put it down for G, A, B, c, and c#.

Then there are players who put down the lower-hand ring finger on its hole for the upper-hand notes, and sometimes G as well.

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Richard Cook
1978 Quinn uilleann pipes
1945 Starck Highland pipes
Goldie Low D whistle

Actually, I think he's referring to keeping one or more of the right hand fingers down when playing C#, a hint that i just found by googling "lazy fingering" and finding this:https://www.rogermillington.com/siamsa/brosteve/notlifting.html Mind blown!