The question of what is legal and not concerning recordings and performing are very confusing.

What I would like to know is:

1.    When an artist/ensemble is advertising on the web or anywhere else for that matter, mp3s are allowed as long as the entire song is not recorded. Is that right? I was told that mp3 files of partial songs are fine to use as samples because we are not selling the files at any point. We are using the files to let potential clients hear us (live musicians) in order to hire us for their own private wedding/party. They (our clients) don’t sell the mp3 files either or the recordings they may create at their own wedding/party. Is this accurate? Please explain.

2.    My understanding is that if we perform songs AND CHARGE ADMISSION to hear us perform, then we are not allowed to perform songs which are not in the public domain without permission from the original artist or whoever holds the copyright.

I appreciate any info and I am sure that many other musicians will be appreciative too. THANKS