Well, at this point, with block chords, I'm not able to think fast enough to play them. For example, in my video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcTyXoqSb3Yat 40 seconds in, I play some locked-hand, drop-2 style block chords that I memorized. It follows the exact formula that Dick Hyman describes.
But if I didn't memorize them, I'd have to think this:
First note, C, is in the Am7 chord, play the notes of that chord, with C on the top.
Second note, D, not in the Am7 chord, play the notes of an Fdim chord, with D on top.
Third note, E, is in the Am7 chord, play the notes of that chord, with E on the top.
Fourth note, G, not in the new chord, Dm7. Play the notes of a Bb dim chord with G on top.
Etc. My mind just isn't fast enough to do that on the fly. I've tried the exercises in Levine's book, but I am still too slow.
Will I just get better at that? It seems like a lot to ask for that complex process to become automatic.