A person needs basic piano knowledge to read written piano music. A music tutor can teach you to read the piano keys, play scales and understand appreggios. Scales form the playing patterns of the keys on the keyboard, while appreggios form chord patterns. Piano notes and symbols are written on a music staff. The staff indicates time signatures and pitch, with symbols like clefs, flats and sharps.The clefs stand for pitch degree, flats reduce pitches by half notes, and sharps increases pitches by half notes.
Sheet music reading enables you to read and communicate new and unique music pieces. This requires concentration and consistent practice to master. Reading sheet music involves complex counting of notes and rhythm to create melodies. It also simplifies the playing of instruments and singing.
Some instrumentalists use tablature reading to read musical chords and play them. You can download songs written with tablature programs from the Internet. In tablature, notes representing chords define the melodies played. Tablature enables a fast translation from written music to physical playing. Guitarists read the chord pattern at the top of the staff to play their music.
Another method of learning to read sheet music is through formal education. Schools offer music lessons in their curricula for interested students. You can also learn to read music informally through choir practice.