I'm a pretty new american style social dancer. I know various simple SSQQ and SQQ (mainly waltz twinkle) moves. But I dont know how to transition from one rhythm into the other very well. What I've been telling my wife is that when we do a rocking SS with a QQ to the side, thats the signal for a transition to SQQ, when we move into prominade, thats a signal that were going back to SSQQ. I like to keep things simple, but was wondering if there is a better more accepted way of doing these transitions for us newbies. Thanks.

"What I've been telling my wife is that when we do a rocking SS with a QQ to the side, thats the signal for a transition to SQQ, when we move into prominade, thats a signal that were going back to SSQQ. I like to keep things simple, but was wondering if there is a better more accepted way of doing these transitions for us newbies."

Each figure, regardless if it is SSQQ or SQQ should have its timing communicated not by some pre-arranged signal, but by the pace of body movement and rise/fall through each step.

If you are dancing a slow that is going to be followed by a second slow, you will stay down and the pace will stay constant.

If you are dancing a slow that is to be followed by a (risen) quick, you will create a bit of an upswing and a pickup of the pace.

(If you are dancing a slow that is to be followed by a non-risen quick, then you'd just have the pickup of pace, without the upswing)

Some pairings of figure-then-figure will be more practical than others, but you should be able to join any practical pair by leading it in a way that indicates its timing. That leading doesn't really have to involve much more than dancing your own part with a clear and accurate sense of timing and rise and fall.

Firstly ( If I know amer. style teaching ) they probably have not introduced body contact ( always a mystery to me ). Once you have established that-- the body will transmit far more readily , the changes of speed AND direction-- also-- you have selected the dance ( f/t ) that is possibly the most complex of all the smooth dances .

What you are doing right now-- thats ok-- perspectives will change given time .

Thanks for the responses, I'll work towards a better lead while keeping the predictable pattern for now.

You got some solid advice from anymouse and terence2, just as they always provide. But on an even simpler level, don't forget the main connection for communicating -- through the hands. I have not had trouble with any change in Fox Trot sequences, mainly because my partner knows that when I push forward hard with my left hand on her right, we are going to a basic travel sequence of SSQQ in LOD. When I apply pressure just on the right side of her right hand, she knows we are switching to more of a box of SQQS. And the body contact that was mentioned comes more into play with promenade move, as when you strongly move her body to your side, there's no place else to go but in a promenade sequence.
Pretty basic advice, but very important when you are just starting.

"don't forget the main connection for communicating -- through the hands. I have not had trouble with any change in Fox Trot sequences, mainly because my partner knows that when I push forward hard with my left hand on her right, we are going to a basic travel sequence of SSQQ in LOD. When I apply pressure just on the right side of her right hand, she knows we are switching to more of a box of SQQS."

You want to be a little careful about using the hands to lead, especially with any substantial force.

Dancing is about one body communicating to another. They can do that directly by touching, or they can do it by communicating through the arms and hands. When they do it by means of the hands, it's important that it still be one body talking to another. If the hands are just talking to each other on their own behalf, the bodies are going to be confused. Of course if you just push one body at another, that's ugly in it's own way too. Neither with contact or without contact will work very well without real attention being payed to being sensitive to where your partner's body is and what it wants to do next - that means the men have to follow the women almost as much as the other way around.

Good points, and an excellent explanation.
When I say push forward hard, anyone watching wouldn't know it. So yes, you don't want to bend your partner's wrists or make it look like you are pushing or steamrolling your way through a dance.
But I agree, just signaling through the hands when the rest of the body is disconnected or uncertain of what is coming next, can turn into a choppy affair.