I learn to fly mode 2, but when I started to fly pattern aerobatics 5 years ago, I swicthed to mode 4 (right hand: elevator and ruder, left hand: gas and aileron) and I really felt the diference, mode 1 or mode 4 is the easier way to go in order to improve the quality fly, it is very good for points rols, slow rols, vertical control, rudder corrections and is very good for 3D earobatics to, for example hovering, when you control the vertical position with only a hand.
I relearn to fly mode 4 with a ugly stick plane and 3 or 4 months later I was flying pattern.
Now I am flying FAI and I wolud never back to mode 2.

Best regards.

Jorge Lozano
Colombian Pattern