[OixKKcj1]

I guess that's why I'm not a lawyer, hehehe! I did read it, but understanding it is another matter entirely. I was referring to:

Subject to sections 107 through 122, the owner of copyright under this title has the exclusive rights to do and to authorize any of the following: Which I supposed meant that since the rights are "exclusive" to the copyright owner, i.e. everyone except that copyright owner and those the copyright owner authorizes are excluded from having those rights, which include:

(4) in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, and motion pictures and other audiovisual works, to perform the copyrighted work publicly; This seems to state quite clearly that whether or not monies are collected, only the copyright owner or person granted this right by the copyright owner may perform said musical work publicly. As I am not the copyright holder, nor have I been granted this right, I can't play the song in public.

While there are exceptions as noted,

for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research

I don't think me playing this at a party, in a park, or in a music store (as examples) falls into any of those categories - unless you could argue that butchering "Stairway to Heaven" on that les paul in the music store was "research", hahaha.

But if that's not really what says, whew ! I can go back to annoying all my fellow kendoka at the annual christmas party with my bad versions of various 70s songs !! *snickers softly*

Anyways, I apologize for being obtuse about it - I am going to finally take the well spoken advice of not overanalyzing it anymore. Ahh. That feels much better. Thank you, for those who answered my questions !! Very much appreciated!!