I’m not in disagreement with what has been said in all of the above either. Just wanted to add in yet another opinion…
For straight-ahead, traditional bluegrass, a beginner should focus on using picks only at first to reduce the variables. If you are aiming for a bluegrass focus only, then stay the course!
I don’t have any aspirations of ever playing banjo professionally with a travelling band or making any money at bluegrass performances. I want to explore and learn different styles as well, and I like to explore the different sounds that that can be made with the banjo, so every once in a while I run without. I sat and listened to Alan Munde play a few beautiful melodic tunes without picks last week, and it was lovely! He was trying to demonstrate some melodic songs and wanted to not be too loud since we were sitting close to another discussion going on.
Different strokes for different folks!