I already know the answer that I should learn fingerstyle first. And ideally both. But I just keep gravitating towards the pick. I like the sound better, and (most) of my favorite bass players are pick players. I’m ready to be shamed in the comments.
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Whatever blows yer goat and gets you playing
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Nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing wrong with playing with a pick.
That said, I do agree with Josh that you should focus on fingerstyle first. Playing with a pick is covered later in the course (assuming you’re enrolled in the B2B program here).
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I did my first time through B2B using fingers, then second time through using a pick.
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Nothing wrong with a pick. You can always come back and do it again with fingers.
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I went through the course on my third-go-round using a pick. (Octaves presented a challenge.)
I played finger style the first time and finger style on a fretless the second time.
I am nearly finished with my fourth-go-round, this time on the new and improved version of the course. I find that I keep learning more each time.
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I think finger style is way easier than playing with a pick. I have a lot of trouble muting with a pick since my plucking hand typically does most of the muting. I would recommend learning both - sometimes you just need that extra attack your fingers can’t deliver.
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I use a pick even if I’m just putting on a set of strings…won’t leave the house without a pick, just in case I stop at Guitar Center to check out some basses.
Do I care what other bassists think about it?
Of course not.
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For the genres I like, picks sound better. They simply do.
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You should learn both.
I would not learn pick before finger style. But learning them simultaneously seems like a good idea.
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I played guitar(very, very badly) when I was young. So I knew how to use a pick coming in to bass. I’m glad I did finger style my first go through, and I’d suggest it even if you plan on primarily playing with a pick eventually. Most songs that I play, I get the fretting down using fingers and switch to pick after that. I feel like I have an easier time memorizing bass lines that way.
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I’ve been doing the course with plucking but I did try a pick a couple times and was surprised that it seemed to come easy. The plucking is not smooth yet [its only been a few weeks of practice so far] and I am determined to get the plucking down better but looking forward to picking later on. Sometimes my hands get confused when alternating and fretting and it was difficult to recover but that is getting better with time.
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Guards, take this man!!
not a lot of people here would give you a hard time about it, seems really davey504 immature actually. play the way you want.
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Chris Squire used a pick. When Geddy stood in for Chris for the RnR HOF induction concert, Geddy plucked.
Chose your style. Neither is better.
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au contraire pick is better (j/k… well kinda 
)
I did the course the 2nd time through with a pick. Index = downstroke, middle = up stroke. I feel like I’m more expressive / emotive with fingers (better at playing with more / less pressure, better at moving around from neck to bridge pickups). I’m faster and more precise with a pick. Overall, I’m better with a pick. I still play with both, but it’s probably 70/30 or 80/20 pick/fingers.
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I followed the same path but at this point I am about 95%/5%. Pick just works and sounds better for the styles I like.
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The most important thing is to develop your own sound.
If it sounds good with a pick, use it.
Music is dynamic.
Other ways of playing may become interesting to you over time — or not.
Long live music! 