Block Chords

an extension of the parallel motion technique using full chord voicings
most effective in similar situations: quarter note melody moving in steps
if melody note is a chord tone, voice with the rest of the chord tones below
optionally use 9 (including b9) instead of 1 - especially if not right below melody
similarly, you can optionally use 6 instead of 5
if melody note is not a chord tone, voice using a diminished chord
LH is often just the root, since RH then has the rest of the chord
for contrast, some passages may be voiced across both hands
drop 2 voicing: second-to-top note of block chord moved an octave lower to LH
LH cannot also play bass notes while doing this, so use sparingly

Jazz Piano Holiday