For singing pianists, resisting the urge to keep your voice quiet while you give your brain and fingers a chance to learn the piano music is often a challenge. If you can relate, you may find the following practice checklist useful.

Get comfortable with the key and time signatures.

Run through the scale with both hands (both separately and together).

Next, play the important chords in various inversions.

Identify the pulse of the time signature. For example, a piece written in 6/8-time may actually be “felt” in only 2 beats (beats one and four).

Identify the recurring rhythmic pattern(s).

Count (or clap) the rhythms(s) aloud.

Play one or two measure phrase(s) over and over until the pattern is comfortable, first with right and left hands separately, then together.

Play through each section/phrase slowly.

Break up the piece into sections, to make it more manageable. For each section, play the right hand and left hand parts separately. Start at an extremely slow pace and gradually work up towards the targeted tempo.

Put the hands together, again at a very slow pace at first. Once you’re comfortable playing one section with both hands together near the targeted tempo, move on to the next section.

Scan the arrangement for the important details.

Dynamics – make note of the dynamic markings and changes.

Tempo – look for changes in tempo, fermatas, ritards, etc.

Pedaling – determine the best use of pedaling.

• If there are no pedal markings, pedal changes usually occur with chord changes, or at the very least, at the measure bars.

• Pedaling is usually not required during scale passages.

Play the entire arrangement, without singing, until comfortable.

Memorize the lyrics.

Put it all together.