Uilleann pipes include additional chanters, known as “regulators” that are entirely key operated and played typically with the the side of the bottom hand or the bottom hand thumb at the same time as playing the chanter.
These regulators offer chordal accompaniment to a tune that is limited to a relatively small number of harmonies. Partly for this reason, when uilleann pipers play in an ensemble setting, the regulators are almost never used.
I have designed a 12-semitone regulator system that can play two notes simultaeously in addition to the chanter melody. In addition to providing advanced harmonic possibilities, the new regulators can provide complex counterpoints to the chanter melody.
First prototypes will be ready mid 2022 and I’ll put up videos of them when available.