Final answer:
The statement is false because the seventh scale degree in a harmonic minor scale is raised to create a leading tone, not a subtonic, which is found in natural minor scales.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a subtonic occurs in a harmonic minor scale is false. A harmonic minor scale consists of the following steps: whole, half, whole, whole, half, augmented second, and half. The seventh scale degree in a harmonic minor scale is raised by a half step from the natural minor scale, creating a leading tone rather than a subtonic. In contrast, the subtonic is the lowered seventh scale degree found in natural minor scales. For example, in the key of A minor, the subtonic would be G, but in the A harmonic minor scale, the seventh degree is raised to G# to form a leading tone.