Our main concern in this work is to show how higher shell admixtures affect the spectrum of a Q. Q interaction. We first review how, in the valence space, the familiar SU(3) result for the energy spectrum can be obtained using a coordinate space Q. Q interaction rather than the Elliott one which is symmetric in r and p. We then reemphasize that the Elliott spectrum goes as L(L + 1) where L is the orbital angular momentum. While in many cases this is compatible with the rotational formula which involves I(I+ 1 ), where I is the total angular momentum, there are cases, e.g., odd-odd nuclei, where there is disagreement. Finally, we consider higher shell admixtures and devise a scheme so as to obtain results, with the Q. Q interaction, which converge as the model spaces are increased. We consider not only ground state rotational bands but also those that involve intruder states.