Scales are the best way to learn how to play in different keys, an invaluable skill. Get some good exercise books, I recommend Schmitt. These will teach your hands how to move your fingers around the keys in complex patterns. Three octaves may be a bit limiting for some of these though. There are several other useful books that escape my memory... Next time I go back to my parents' house, I'll see if I can dig up some other old books that served me well. Visualizing scales / key signatures on the piano is the most convenient and standardized way of thinking about music. It's a worthwhile cause, so good on you for pursuing this. All of galen's advice is great. Sightreading complex music will take years of practice, unfortunately. It was never my thing, I'd learn a complex piece and polish it into oblivion. Then I'd forget it and move on. In hindsight, there more practical methods of learning piano that apply more effectively to your overall musicianship. Theory is #1, hands down.