Hi Phil,
I can not help with your other note problem. But I have the solution to practicing with the wife in the house. I use the Ross electronic Bagpipe/Practice Chanter. You can use it as a practice chanter or turn on the drone tones. I can use it with ear buds, which may have saved my marriage. Also I can practice longer with out running out of wind. When the wife is out of the house I do practice with a regular chanter and also the full set of pipes.
Regards
Conroy