Summertime Rag is set at a moderate tempo making large leaps in the left hand up to three and four-note chords quite manageable. In traditional ABACD form, the key structure moves from C, A minor, C, F, and back once again to C. Each section of the form includes an eight measure statement followed by a repeat of the eight with slight changes. Moderate tempo, easy key signatures, repetition of themes with challenges of large leaps in left hand make this an ideal introduction to more difficult ragtime compositions.