Alap Alap Alapana Category="Hindustani music"The Alap (pronounced ah-laap) is the opening section of a typical North-Indian răg (or Raga). The notes of the răg are introduced by the soloist (commonly on the Sitar). It is unmetred (without structure), improvised, unaccompanied (except for the tanpura Drone) and slow in Tempo. It may last for a few seconds or several hours depending upon the soloist.

Two examples of alaps are:

See also: Pandit Pran Nath and LaMonte Young.