My challenge is to stop getting lost as to which measure to go to in certain notation and rhythm chord charts. After the repeat sign, repeat to what measure?

D.S., Coda, and where to go after the “1st, 2nd” and other commonly used symbols are slowing me down and I am relying on guesswork and the vocals (when I can hear them) to get me back to where I should be. Chromaticism and familiarity with the piece (as well as a competent and understanding pianist) has been my very good friend on too many occasions in the more complex pieces.

Help!?

Well as far as basic reading (in the way of these symbols) it's best to learn from someone in person. I found these a bit challenging when I was just beginning to read, but it was easy to pick up from people.

Originally posted by Jeb
My challenge is to stop getting lost as to which measure to go to in certain notation and rhythm chord charts. After the repeat sign, repeat to what measure?

You go back to the last "open" repeat mark (i.e. the last one with the two dots on the right of the barline). If there isn't one, then it's back to the very start.

D.S., Coda

D.S. al Coda means go back to the sign (which is a funny thing looking like an S with a couple of lines through it), and then when you get to the coda sign (a circle with a horizontal and vertical line through the centre) - go to the coda. The coda itself will be at the end, on a separate staff, IME, and will be marked by the same symbol.

D.C. al Coda means the same, except go back to the start, not the sign.

and where to go after the “1st, 2nd”

You go back to the last open repeat mark, or if there isn't one, you go back to the start. The first time, you play the first time bar (though it may be more than one bar), which will have a bracket over it with a "1" underneath, and a repeat mark at the end of it. The second time, you skip the first time bar(s), and go straight to the second time bar (which will have a bracket with a "2" under it).

and other commonly used symbols are slowing me down

Any ones in particular?

moley explained it pretty well. You should pick up a basic theory book. All the basics like repeats, 1st and 2nd endings, Coda's and a lot of other stuff is covered in almost any theory book.