Breaking a bad habit

When playing power chords, I have become extremely efficient using my ring finger to barre both the 5th and it's octave. I really need to break this habit and use my pinky for the octave. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can break this bad habit?

Thanks

Alfke

Who said it was a bad habit? I don't see anything wrong with what you are doing if I understand it correctly. Certainly nothing wrong with learning another way to do it since that will give you flexibility.

When I voice a power chord correctly, I have noticed the strain on my hand and wrist goes away, and I have plenty of finger strength to switch from power to barre chords easily.

Alfke

OK, that's a good reason to switch fingering.

My suggestion would be to just force yourself to play power chords this new way. It may feel awkward now, but before you know it, it will feel natural.

I've experienced this with the open G chord. I learned a song that required I play the G with my middle, ring, and pinky fingers rather than index, middle, and index fingers. That was incredibly awkward at first. After a few weeks, I could fret the chord either way comfortably.

Just keep doing it and it will eventually feel totally natural.