I use EMACS with mma-mode. My process is to edit a file, save it, play it using the -P option and repeat.
Emacs' MMA mode has a built in facility to play your current file: C-c C-p (mma-play).
Attached is a version of Emacs' MMA mode that I have enhanced with a preview command, C-c C-v (mma-preview). To use it, insert a line
in your file, at the end of the settings and definitions, i.e. just before the chords start.
Then you can select an arbitrary part of the chords and stuff and have just that part played using MMA. Of course, you need to select something that is playable
.