How long until you are competent?

I'm a high school senior who is very interested in programming as a backup option for if my acceptance to music school does not happen, or happens with too little scholarship money to afford it. I'm pretty big on math, and have done a bit of Learn Python The Hard Way. I guess my question is, with or without college, how long does it seem to take until most people are able to begin programming for money?

I know it's a lifelong-learning experience, but surely there has to be a point in which you can support yourself on your work.

>>21

Thank you for the explanation and welcome! About Functional programming, I've been fascinated with it recently. I've written Functor classes in Java for fun, just for kicks. Yeah, it's not really functional and definitely impractical, but at least I'm interested. I would like to learn it, but being a newbie who is only really competent with Java you have to start somewhere right?

I don't have anything against Jews. As far as banking is concerned I will say that I admire Islams restrictions on usury, so that somewhat ties in with what you are saying about the banking system.

Also, what's up with all the Jewish stuff in this board? Seems pretty prevalent. I didn't know programming had so much to do with Jewish people until now.