I find I have to play 2nd octave D with an open chanter in order to be in correct pitch, which is fine but if I’m wanting to go to a Cnat from that note, the movement of the chanter back onto the knee & the flipping of the Cnat key give a bit of a detached sound that I so far haven’t mastered. (I’m not a seasoned player)
Detached meaning, I’m actually getting a very short stoppage of sound from one note to the other.
Any thoughts as to how to smooth it out?
Just play more?
cheers!
Rich
have you tried playing the c natural using cross fingering:
0
x
x
x
0
0/x
x
I have not, but it’s perhaps time I learnt!
Rich
You’ll be very happy you did. 
Typically, the c natural key is generally used for obtaining the 2nd octave note. 1st octave c natural is obtained by cross fingering the note. There may be exceptions to this, but I’m not aware of any. What Joseph said is pretty much SOP.
edited for spelling
whoa! now there’s an eye opener!
Here I was thinking Bruce put that there so I could slack & just use the key!
boy, nothing beats a little personal instruction aye?
Clueless in Maine..
Rich