Interesting. I read ALL of it, and it is very interesting. Because I have seen this sort of thing happen before, over and over again, making me firmly believe that time runs in cycles. I remember when you made that blog post to not give in to Zero-Voters. I also notice that the only artists that succeed are ones that go beyond this site...

The point is, that this site is a system. And as far as I know, all systems are scams. Because the basis of systems is a hidden pyramid scheme. Using this website as an example:

1. Site gets a lot of nice Flash material from artists.
2. Site gets in a lot of viewers.
3. Site gets money from ad revenue, and suck in aspiring artists as such.

The problem is, that we are practically working for free towards someone else's advantage (being scammed in a sub-conscious way). And the majority fall for that mistake over and over again. It is a vicious cycle in my point of view. It just helps the system GROW!

For one thing I'm sorry to see you go (if indeed it comes to that,) but I'm also a little sad to see you go out at Newgrounds like this. It's a great community, and you shouldn't beat yourself up for sticking to it for so long, even if you feel that it has sucked away your potential until now. You could still hang around, even if you aren't uploading constantly or helping out all the time. Contributing your work to Newgrounds should make you feel like a slave...
Please don't go!

My bad, Contributing to Newgrounds SHOULDN'T make you feel like a slave.

I don't wholly agree with your thoughts that being on the NG audio portal will get you nowhere. I think the sentiment that you won't miraculously find yourself launched to stardom because of NG is true, but I think the portal is something you should tread upon lightly, use it as a tool te better experience yourself. Make the friends, communicate, collaborate, and so when you move on, it's not because there's nothing there, it's just because you've gotten all you can from it, and your talents will flourish better elsewhere. You've done some great things, Maestro, both musically, and as a person/friend. I hope things work out for you and that you actually go places. <3

so i understand ur leaving? <=(
u leave all ur fans here alone, in the cold without ur music? <='(
only cuz they just steal ur music?! why does this stop u?

if it is cuz of this reason, then i dont kno u anymore..
i kno MaestroRage as a fierce person, that never gives up, nd keeps doin it again, nd tryin it again

So, if i do understand your post, i may guess you want to do music for a living, right ?

I can understand you are angry at yourself, i do myself feel like i have nothing more to do on this site, and try to get involved in more serious projects (i could tell you more if you're interested).

Anyways, my point is, i don't think you wasted your potential on this site, at least, not in the first years. You met people who supported you and helped you making awesome progress and all. And i believe you do know that.

You have the potential to actually write music for a living, and that potential is partially due to NG. I personally don't have the potential on attaining such an ambition, whataver effort i made, support i got, and everything else.

My final point is, you can't blame yourself, as you CAN attain that dream. I'm angry, furious, desperate, frustrated, and every other word you may know, since i share the same dream, but CANNOT attain it. Heed my words, friend, you do not have to blame yourself.

Damn it. You're probably the best musical artist on the site, one of the best creative people on it, and you're leaving? ;( I wish you good luck in everything that comes your way.

One question: will you create a site/keep up Symphony of Specters so that fans can still follow your work? (creative commons or no)

Anyway, good luck.

well, you were my favourite music artist on this site. I guess your going now, but i guess its also for the better.

can you at least let me and others know when you release new songs still? i dont care if you dont go on NG, hell i barely come here anymore, but i would still really like to keep listening in to your music.

cya around

hey man, I really liked your analogy in response to a comment "every bird needs to leave their nest". I certainly won't disagree if you believe the time has come for you to move onto better things. Thanks for all the help you given to me and others, through this blog, the NG forums, and your website SoS whether the majority of your assitance in the past may have been indirect or not. I look forward to see how your story unfolds Maestro/Selcuk!

Way to be. If you never come back and somehow figure out a way to stay on vacation, I won't take it personally. But tell me how you did it ;).

There have been some great things you have done, which you should not forget.

I remember back in 2006 when you commented on the first song i had ever written, and contributed to this site. I had heard your music before, and was inspired by your work for me to keep head strong in my own music. And when you commented on my song that day, it uplifted me in ways i cannot describe. at 13, I had no one in my life that was a musician, to help me, to guide me. I looked up to you...

Do not think for one moment you did not make a difference on this site. Because you did, and you had helped hundreds of people in the same way, if not, similar ways.

So yes, this is the end of this road. Its time to pack up, your time on this site is over, if you wish that to be your destiny.

We all have faith in you MaestroRage, we will all be relieved if you go down the path you truly desire, even if you have to give up some things.

Good luck

Enjoy the time off ^_~

So, where did ya go, and did it help?

Maestro,

I simply love all of your music. You know you were the first composer that I have most of you music downloaded and saved. But where ever you go I hope that I hear more of you you are simply Great to listen to.