Alap is a musical form found in Indian classical music, serving as the introductory section of a performance. It is characterized by a slow, free-flowing exploration of the raga, which is a melodic framework. During the alap, musicians express the mood and essence of the raga without rhythmic accompaniment, allowing for improvisation and deep emotional expression. The alap typically begins with a gradual unfolding of the raga's notes, starting from the lower octaves and moving upwards. This section sets the stage for subsequent parts of the performance, such as the jor and gat, where rhythm and tempo become more pronounced.