The article discusses possibilities of improving music education through application of popular music and use of innovative methods of personal meaning and emotional imitation: the relevance is substantiated developing value-based attitudes of junior school learners in the context of the system of contemporary music education and theories of pedagogical thought development, on the basis of research results educational practice is reflected discussing links of music activities and formation of value-based attitudes, improvement of music education presenting possibilities of teacher’s educational activities in the social context.

The relevance of the chosen problem is predetermined by interest of junior school students in popular music and its impact, which receives various evaluations.

The object of research: music education of junior school learners.

The aim of the research: to reveal possibilities of music education improvement applying popular music and employing innovative methods.

The methods of the research:

-          analysis of scientific literature and document analysis,

-          educational project,

-          generalization of educational experience.

Conclusion. The conducted research allows to conclude that pedagogical prerequisites for music education of junior school children integrating popular music and nurturing learners’ value-based attitudes are as follows: link of goals of music education with topical issues of the socialisation process developing learners’ musical activities; application of innovative methods of personal meaning and emotional imitation as striving for self-cognition; maturity of teacher’s personality, sincere, respectful, benevolent relations between the teacher and school learners based on mutual understanding that provide meaning to musical experiences and activities.