The qin is a very quiet instrument , with a range of about four octaves , and its open strings are tuned in the bass register ( its lowest pitch is about two octaves below middle C , or the lowest note on the cello ) . The guqin is a very quiet instrument , with a range of about four octaves , and its open strings are tuned in the bass register . Its lowest pitch is about two octaves below middle C , or the lowest note on the cello .