A major pentatonic

What chords sound good used over this?

Go to the Scales to Chords section of this site and highlight/click key A and Scale Pentatonic Major. A,B,C#,E,F#.

I think you might have the idea backwards though. I usually think of what scales would go well over various chords, not vice versa.

I think both ideas are correct

Well, they are both technically correct, but have you ever thought of it in any manner other than the solo over the chord progression when writing? I haven't. The only reason I brought it up was that it might not be the best way to learn about these things. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Music theory is about perspective, like all things really, some times it is good to hit it from the top other times is better from the bottom. Calculus is a good example of this in mathematical terms (think various integration techniques).

Most almost all jazz (general meaning, not specific) is based of the the scales/melody over chords view. Jazz theory is basically the theory that American music uses.

A notable exception to this in jazz would be modal jazz. Now the scale(s) are the focal point.

basically my point is that looking at things in a different dimension leads to new ideas. ultimately music is just one thing (not scales, chords, and rhythm).

That said, go with what btimm said scales over chords as you want to understand what the composer(s) were thinking otherwise it will be a mystery. you have no idea how many times I gave some ridiculous explanation to a song; to then latter on, realizes what was actually happening and it really was not that hard at all.

as for the OP question... Pentatonics in a heptatonic world are just scales with the "tricky" notes cut out. So obviously any chord that contain just those notes would work, but Major pents are used in country alot. Over major chord and Doms in a Blues progression or Bules derived.

Yeah, I see what you mean its just i sat down, started messing around and found a good tune that i realised used A major pentatonic (I hope that kinda makes sense to you), so i wanted some chords to go with it.
Ill try macandkangas idea. Thanks anyway.

Yeah, this is never a bad thing. I can always be more open to ideas myself. hehehe

To answer your question devilchild, anything that works with the A Major scale will work with A Major Pentatonic, since pentatonic is based on major :)

Afro