> That said, for modes, AFAIK the names are all 100% arbitrary
This annoyed me a lot when learning the basics. One thing I noticed when I experimented with what things would be called without the traditional names is that I would lose the "namespace" of what I'm thinking about. I think the names are awful, but Dorian means something specific, C something specific, etc. You can map it to just numbers like... scale 1 for note 1, mode +1, chord 5 and it may be initially easier to "calculate" the result, but also more confusing.
But then you just get used to the names with enough practice. A bit of a Stockholm syndrome. They're still awful, but familiar enough you stop caring.
This annoyed me a lot when learning the basics. One thing I noticed when I experimented with what things would be called without the traditional names is that I would lose the "namespace" of what I'm thinking about. I think the names are awful, but Dorian means something specific, C something specific, etc. You can map it to just numbers like... scale 1 for note 1, mode +1, chord 5 and it may be initially easier to "calculate" the result, but also more confusing.
But then you just get used to the names with enough practice. A bit of a Stockholm syndrome. They're still awful, but familiar enough you stop caring.