if you pump the pedal 5 to 10 times, then crack each wheel just once, you'll know if theres air on the first try.

with the soft pedal (if its air in the master) it could have been pushing air into the lines and it could be trapped.

i use a clear tube on the end of the bleeder nipple to a bottle to keep things clean.

i also made a one man bleeder, tube and a bottle, but that way uses a lot of fluid, (wastes it)