Happy Holidays!

My 5th grader daughter newly started clarinet in her school.
As she shows great interest in it, I'm thinking of buying her one, instead of renting.
Problem is, it's too expensive for us to afford it.
Is there anywhere or any way I can buy a good clarinet at as low price as possible for a future musician? Also, is private lesson really necessary for the betterness of tongueing?
We live in Virginia, by the way.

Thank you for your advice!

YOu can try a local pawn shop?

Many music stores have great rent to own on music instruments, and these same stores often have the used returns from people that did not keep them.

Also you find tons in the pawn shops, but have someone that knows them with you to be sure corks and valves are all OK.

Next there are many music stores that sell online, youcan do some online searches and find many options I am sure.

Ebay.com is the best start. There, you can compare prices on instruments and oftentimes buy straight-from-the-factory instruments for a considerably cheaper price.

And yes, if you can afford lessons, I would recommend them. If your daughter enjoys clarinet and you find that she has great talent, if will be much harder to go back when she's older and correct technical mistakes that she has taught herself on accident. Invest in a professional teacher.

Hope that helps!