I know enough about reading music to be dangerous. After taking 7 years of classical piano instruction and nearly as many i school learning drums and playing in the various orchestras and marching bands... I can proudly say I read music at about a 1st grade level.

Essentially, I can look at the staff, understand the time signature, figure out the key, and given enough time, tell you what a specific note is on either of the staves.

As far as sight reading goes.... not a snowball's proverbial chance in hades that I could play anything from sheet music if I didn't already know it.

Playing by ear is a whole different story however. I can hear something and by the color of the chords, tell you what key it's in and what chord is being played. I can play along with music I've never heard before because I can very often "see" where it's going. I know enough about theory to be able to chart the stuff I write if I need to do so.

Mainly, I just play and enjoy the music for what it is and don't worry over the theory and stuff.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.