Final answer:
Ave Maria is typically characterized by a polyphonic texture, which is a hallmark of Renaissance music, featuring independent melodic lines combined to create a harmonious and rich musical fabric.
Step-by-step explanation:
The musical texture that dominates Ave Maria is generally polyphony. Polyphonic texture, where multiple independent melodic lines are combined, was a significant characteristic of Renaissance music. This was a period where composers started to use richer textures of four or more parts, emphasizing a smooth blend within the musical fabric rather than contrasting the voices against one another.
The polyphony of the Renaissance allowed for a greater expression of harmony and melodic interplay, with respect to both vocal and instrumental music. Ave Maria, like many compositions from this time, would typically exploit the polyphonic texture to create a rich and flowing harmonic progression common to the era's sacred music.