You now know modes in relation to a parent scale. If someone were to ask you to spell a C# Lydian scale, however, you might have quite an ordeal. First, you have to remember which number mode it is, then you have to backtrack and find the parent scale, and then you can spell the scale correctly. It's much more convenient to think of the modes on their own, which is how they are commonly used. It's much easier to understand modes than to have to take several steps to puzzle them out. Looking at modes as almost major or minor scales will help you understand them.

Here is a recap of the modes, their interval formulas, and easy ways to relate the scales:

MODES, SCALES, AND INTERVAL FORMULAS

By learning these formulas, you will be able to learn modes as their own scales and spell and relate to them quickly and easily.